The African Union Peace and Security Architecture : can the Panel of the Wise make a difference?

Abstract

The African Union's Panel of the Wise was inaugurated on 18 December 2007. The prospects of the Panel as a conflict prevention and peace and security promotion tool in the AU Peace and Security architecture may remain dim unless its concept is understood and the Panel is effectively operationalised. To this end therefore, the objectives of this study are as follows: (1) To examine the need for the Panel in the AU Peace and Security Architecture. (2) To examine the institutional design of the Panel. (3) To explore the prospective roles for the Panel in the AU Peace and Security Architecture. (4) To identify how the Panel can promote the internalisation of peace and security in Africa. The study will propose key strategies to improve the relevance of the Panel as a tool of the PSC in facilitating peaceful interventions and promotion of peace and security in Africa.