Ships passing in the night? Opportunities to integrate the African Peer Review Mechanism: early warning findings within the African Union Peace and Security Architecture

Abstract

The potent nature of the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) as an early warning tool may remain in oblivion unless its peace and security mandate is identified and benefitted from by the Africa Union (AU) Peace and Security Architecture. The objectives of this study are: a) To examine the AU and sub-regional organizational mechanisms on early warning as well as their strengths and weaknesses. b) To map out the APRM mandate in peace and security from the concept, instruments, process and reports. c) To draw both conceptual and practical links between the Continental Early Warning System and the APRM reports. d) To make recommendations of how APRM early warning findings can be integrated within the AU Peace and Security Architecture for early response.