Conflict Management in Africa: The African Union’s Peace and Security Architecture (APSA)
Abstract
The African continent, with its history of regional cooperation rooted in Pan-Africanism, has faced numerous challenges since independence, including internal disputes, neocolonialism, and underdevelopment. The Organization of African Unity (OAU), established in 1963, operated modestly in addressing security issues, especially amidst the violent civil wars of the post-Cold War era. As international responses, notably
from the United Nations and OAU, fell short, the African Union (AU) emerged in 2002 with a renewed agenda focused on integration and proactive engagement with the continent’s security challenges. In this context, this study explores the reasons for establishing a collective security framework in Africa, considering three main factors: i) the prevalence of conflicts in the 1990s, ii) the ineffective international
responses, and iii) the historical integration process with the OAU tied to Pan-African ideology. Through a qualitative analysis spanning national, continental, and global levels, this work examines the causes and characteristics of African wars post-Cold War, the UN’s role, and the creation and operational aspects of the AU’s Peace and Security Architecture (APSA). Therefore, the role of the African Union as a qualified space for conflict management on the continent is perceived. As the AU navigates this role, the imperative for African-led solutions to African problems becomes evident. But despite progress, African conflicts remain complex, rooted in multifaceted political, economic, social, and historical factors. In this sense, the AU’s future effectiveness hinges on strengthening political will, enhancing institutional capabilities, and defining its autonomy within international partnerships.