The Role of African Union (AU) in Conflict Resolution
CHAPTER ONE
OBJECTIVES OF THE RESEARCH
The following under listed are the objectives of this research:
- To discuss the AU mechanisms for crisis and conflict resolution in Africa.
- To discuss the challenges of the current AU conflict resolution mechanisms.
- Examine the prospects of enhancing AU mechanisms for conflict resolution in the continent.
- To suggest possible ways on how best to improve the AU mechanisms for conflict resolution.
CHAPTER TWO
LITERATURE REVIEW
THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK
The study makes use of the hegemonic stability theory. The hegemonic stability theory is originated by Antonio Gramsci who was touched and concerned by the action and contribution of the capitalist group or class to involve the working cadre or group into a forum or an association which will be controlled and decided by the same Capitalists on the pretence of constituting a society that will favour all (Gramsci 1971; Møller 2009; Salamani 1981; Keohane 1996). The term has been practiced to the international relations operation and it has even been implemented by Robert Cox who is re-known international relations theorist. Robert views the term international hegemony as “the formation of a coalition of top-down forces activated by a common consciousness in which those at the bottom are able to participate” (Cox 2001; Møller, 2009). This concept has been adopted by Charles Kindleberger, who belongs to the traditional school of the international political economy (Møller, 2009; Kindleberger 1986). Similarly, this is equally supported and adopted by Robert Keohane who is also a theorist of the international relations (Keohand 1984).
The hegemonic stability as a theory can be seen as “a variant of international relations realism, in which case the emphasis is placed on the role of power” (Guzzini 1998). Preponderant power they say, “allows those possessing it to coerce those who do not, but it is becoming less and less clear wherein power resides” (Holsti 1977; Barnett & Duvall 2005; Møller, 2009). The government by the military usually exercises their power through the enforcement of coercion, but with the continuous prohibiting of war, crisis and its sorts together with the likely eradication of the military force in governance, such will promote the hegemonic and stable circumstances that will be favourable for all and sundry. In other words, another form of power that is more fungible, although, it may be encountered with the difficulties of how to measure the variance in the level of power exercise against one another. This however, iscomplicated and too obscure to achieve. For example, Kenneth Waltz in his assumptions observed that, “size of population and territory, resource endowment, economic capability, military strength, political stability and competence, viewing these collectively as aggregate capabilities, yet without clarifying the formula for aggregation” (Waltz 1979, p.131; Morgenthau 1960, p. 110).
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
INTRODUCTION
The research needs to identify the role of African Union (AU) in conflict resolution. To do this, an authentic and reliable research methodology is needed. This focuses on the steps taken by the researcher in conducting the study.
IDENTIFICATION OF THE VARIABLES
The variables in this research are qualitative in nature because they vary in kind rather than in magnitude. The independent variable is conflict resolution while the dependent variable is AU mechanism. Therefore, the more efficient AU Mechanism is the more effective conflict resolution in Africa will be.
CHAPTER FOUR
DATA ANALYSIS
ROLES OF THE AU IN CONFLICT RESOLUTION
In 1990, there were about 20 wars going on simultaneously in Africa but by 2010, there were only four ongoing wars and this is a big success story for AU (Ndiho, 2010). AU’s first mission was deployed in Burundi where transition to self-rule was characterized by ethnic violence between the Hutu majority and the Tutsi minority.
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CHAPTER FIVE
CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
CONCLUSION
Since the establishment of the African Union in 2002, there has been a heightened activism in Africa for the materialization of ‘African solutions to African problems’ particularly in the bid to secure lasting solution to Africa’s conflict challenges. The maxim ‘African Solutions to African problems’ emerged from the misgivings around the motive, reliability and efficiency of external impositions and interventions in Africa. This concern is amplified on the background of the failure of African actors to exhibit appropriate agency in terms of conceptualizing and implementing context specific solutions to the continent’s challenges.
COMMENDATIONS
The following recommendations were made based on the study findings;
- Improving the internal relevance and incentives of Pan-Africanism for unity, social cohesion and cooperation in Africa
- Enhancing Africa’s resource base for the continent to implement African solutions independently and garner a considerable power base to negotiate its terms in continental and global debates.
- Improving good governance and accountability in Africa to reduce the sundry conflicts that emerge from public discontents as well as to bolster the legitimacy and credibility of the AU in the attempt to address Africa’s challenges.
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