Historical Inquiry into Problems Faced by African Union in Resolving Conflict among Member Nations

Dr Mike  C Uzorka; Dr. Bariledum  Kia

Authors

Dr Mike C Uzorka Department of Sociology, Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Rivers State
Dr. Bariledum Kia Department of History and International Diplomacy, Rivers State University, Nkpolu- Oroworukwo, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria

Keywords:

African Union, Conflict Resolution, Political will, Shared Values

Abstract

Since the transformation of the Organization of African Unity (OAU) into the African Union (AU) in 2002, there was apparent optimism that myriad of African’s security problems would be over. This optimism appears to have been elusive as there are mixed feeling concerning the success of the body in this regard. The study examined the extent to which the African Union with its peace and Security Council has been able to achieve its set objectives. The study employed historical and qualitative research methods and relied on secondary data. The data gathered were analyzed thematically, using the Somali, Darfur, Libyan and Mali crises. From the analysis, it was discovered that the body has not actually performed creditably well due to a number of challenges. Particularly lack of political will and unity among member states, including acute inadequacy of resources for managing the continent’s peace support activities. These problems were observed in the era of OAU and are still prevailing in African Union. Based on the findings of the study, the study recommend among others that member states should first and foremost develop the political will to enhance commitment, unite and develop a well-coordinated strategy with minimal cost in managing conflict in the region.

References

1. Adekeye A. (2006). Prophets of Africa’s renaissance: Nigeria and South Africa as Regional Hygemous occasional paper series N. 3 P.7
2. Adeniji, A. (2011). The African Union, Libyan Crisis and challenge of continental security in Nigeria journal of international affairs. 31(2).
3. Amnesty International (2011). “Libyan Paramedics Targeted by pro-Gaddasi Frees. Downloaded October, 16, 2022.
4. David, M. (2011). “Resistance in times of crisis: The African Union’s opposition to foreign intervention”, available at http://www.consultancyafrica.com/index.php? Accessed October 18, 2022.
5. Edwin, M. (2011). “reflections on Libya”, Constitution 11(23) p. 61
6. Emmanuel, N. (2011). “The Libyan Revolt and (south) African Response”. In international politics. Ross Luxembourg shifting Southern Africa. P1.
7. Imobighe T. A. (2003). The OAU (AU) and OAS in Regional conflict Management. AA comparative Assessment. Ibadan Spectrum books.
8. Kasaya P.A. (2011). The principle of Africa. “Solutions to African Problems” under the spotlight: the African Union and the Libyan crisis open society institute African governance monitoring and advocacy project.
9. Niyi, A. (2011). Why Guddaffi must step down the Punch (Nigeria), April, p. 64.
10. Ogaba, O. (2010). African Union/United Nations and the Somali Crisis in Osita CE and Chike A.A. (eds) Nigeria’s security interest in Africa. Lagos:NIIA
11. Sani M. (2010). African Union/United Nations and the Darfur” in Osita CE and Chike A.A. (eds) Nigeria’s security interest in Africa. Lagos:NIIA
12. Streams, S. (2011). “African Union’s slow recognitions for NTC Prompts calls for reform at http://www.various.com accessed October, 18 2022
13. Tobias, B. (2011). “Fears mount for safety of Gaddaffi Foes; Financial Times, 17 March p. 8
14. Yusuf Ali (2011). Nigeria, South Africa in cold war over Gaddafi’s. available at http://www.thenationonline.net/indexphp/news.aCCESSES October, 18 2022.