A critical assessment of the evolving African Union - United Nations cooperation on peace and security : 2003 - 2009

Abstract

Almost four decades of decolonisation and independence of sub-Saharan Africa have been characterised by inter-state and intra-state conflict situations, denying the continent stability and development. The study critically examines the evolution of a vision for collaboration and cooperation on peace and security in the interface between the African Union and the United Nations. The post Cold War period allowed the institutionalisation of peace and security cooperation between the UN and regional organizations, in particular the AU. The analysis argues that regional stability has been elevated into one of the key indicators of possible threats to international peace and that regionalism recognised as a necessary component of multilateralism in maintaining peace and security in the world. The UN Security Council and the AU Peace and Security Council have developed a structured relationship that ensures information exchange on issues on common concern. Africa is assuming responsibility ad ownership of its peace and security problems by seeking to find solutions in partnership. The complementarity and comparative advantage of the two organizations has contributed to the emerging continental stability, state institution building, governance structures and African Peace and Security Architecture. The 2000 AU Constitutive Act and the 2002 AU Peace and Security Protocol had purposefully entrenched collaboration with the United Nations on peace and security. The signing of the 2006 Declaration Enhancing UN-AU Cooperation provides the framework and compass for building the AU capacity and access to resources. The evolving peace and security cooperation is not an easy matter as African leadership seeks to convince the international community, especially the UNSC, not to be indifferent to Africa’s perennial prevalence of conflicts. AU and UN peace and security cooperation is in its infancy, African leadership political will is the key to its consolidation.