The African Union (AU) since 2002 is building on the Organisation of African Unity (OAU), but with a difference. The OAU had not effectively dealt with peace and security (P&S) in Africa. The expectations from the slogan ‘African solutions for African problems’ is amongst the biggest challenges faced by them. The limitations in dealing with P&S in Africa have bedeviled the AU itself, however, a saving grace is the AU constitution. In Article 4(h) the AU acquired the right to intervene in a member state, following a decision of the Assembly, if circumstances like war crimes, genocides, or crimes against humanity occurred. It is also authorized to reject unconstitutional changes of government in the member states.
Why We Need A Climate Security Course-Correction for Stability in The Sahel
This article originally appeared on Climate Diplomacy.
Not only is the Sahel highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, but it is also one of the regions where climate change is most likely to undermine security and trigger violent conflict. Now more than ever, climate security risks must be effectively integrated into stabilisation and peace operations in order to achieve stability in the region.
On 9 March 2021, Heads of State of the African Union (AU), lead by Kenyan President, Uhuru Kenyatta, met to discuss how climate change is a critical part of securing peace across the continent under the landmark “Silencing the Guns” initiative. In the same week, on 12 March, the Informal Expert Group of Members of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) met to explore the role of the Security Council in addressing climate-related security risks in the Sahel, specifically examining how the UN and t
Communiqué of the 989th meeting (open session) of the PSC held on 12 April 2021 on the theme “Prevention of the ideology of hate, genocide and hate crimes in Africa”
Format
COMMUNIQUE
Adopted by the Peace and Security Council (PSC) of the African Union (AU) at its 989th meeting (open session) held on 12 April 2021 on the theme “Prevention of the ideology of hate, genocide and hate crimes in Africa”:
The Peace and Security Council,
Noting the opening remarks made by the Permanent Representative of the Republic of Djibouti to the AU and Interim PSC Chairperson for April 2021, H.E Ambassador Mohammed Idriss Farah and the statement by the AU Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, H.E. Ambassador Bankole Adeoye; also noting the presentations by the Representative of the Republic of Rwanda, Researcher and Scholar on Genocide, Mr. Tom Ndahiro; as well as the representatives of the United Nations (UN) and European Union (EU) ;
African leaders have committed themselves to ending armed conflict on the continent and promoting lasting peace and economic prosperity. This is in keeping with the African Union’s blueprint for the continent. Sadly, though, the leaders’ 2013 pledge to “silence the guns” by 2020 has failed.
According to a 2017 report by Rwandan president Paul Kagame, then chairman of the African Union (AU), the failure to end conflict shows that member states do not take the AU’s decisions seriously. This gives the continental body little credibility.
Very little has changed since Kagame’s report. The inadequate response to security crises continues. This is because most of the 55 member states lack the capacity to carry out its mandate. There is also a lack of political will to implement its peace and security programmes. The emphasis, instead, is on respecting the sovereignty of the nation states.
Peace and security in Africa: how China can help address weaknesses modernghana.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from modernghana.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.