The Practice of Preventive Diplomacy in the African Union
The Practice of Preventive Diplomacy in the African Union
Bethelhem Taye Alemu
The Practice of Preventive Diplomacy in the African Union
Acronyms
APSA- African Peace and Security Architecture
ASF- African Stand by Force
AU- Africa Union
CEWS- Continental Early Warning System
COMESA- Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa
ECOWAS - Economic Community of West African States
ECCAS- Economic Community of Central African States
EAC- East African Community
IGAD- Intergovernmental Authority on Development
OAU- Organization of African Union
PSC- Peace and Security Council
POW- Panel of the Wise
RECs- Regional Economic Communities
REMs - Regional Mechanisms
SADC- Southern African Development Community
UN-United Nations
Bethelhem Taye Alemu edcationbetty1@gmail.com Page 1
UNSC-United Nations Security Council
The Practice of Preventive Diplomacy in the African Union
Introduction
The establishment of the African Union (AU), the creation of the Peace and Security
Council (PSC) and the transformation of the organization from non-interference to nonindifference, all seemed perfect and hoped by many to bring sustainable peace to the whole African continent. In fact, this all made the AU to have more important role in the field of peace and security than Organization of African Union (OAU),(see Bujra 2002) as well the number of crises decreased than before; nevertheless, the organization after a decade, still did not achieve its goals, specifically with regard to conflict prevention.
After the adoption of the Protocol Relating to the Establishment of Peace and Security
Council in 2002 in Durban, conflict prevention became the main issue of the organization.
Article 3(b) of the Protocol clearly states that the objective for the establishment of PSC was the anticipation and prevention of conflict (African Union 2002, § 3).
Understanding the great importance of the issue at hand, this paper will discuss the practice of
Bethelhem Taye Alemu
The Practice of Preventive Diplomacy in the African Union
Acronyms
APSA- African Peace and Security Architecture
ASF- African Stand by Force
AU- Africa Union
CEWS- Continental Early Warning System
COMESA- Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa
ECOWAS - Economic Community of West African States
ECCAS- Economic Community of Central African States
EAC- East African Community
IGAD- Intergovernmental Authority on Development
OAU- Organization of African Union
PSC- Peace and Security Council
POW- Panel of the Wise
RECs- Regional Economic Communities
REMs - Regional Mechanisms
SADC- Southern African Development Community
UN-United Nations
Bethelhem Taye Alemu edcationbetty1@gmail.com Page 1
UNSC-United Nations Security Council
The Practice of Preventive Diplomacy in the African Union
Introduction
The establishment of the African Union (AU), the creation of the Peace and Security
Council (PSC) and the transformation of the organization from non-interference to nonindifference, all seemed perfect and hoped by many to bring sustainable peace to the whole African continent. In fact, this all made the AU to have more important role in the field of peace and security than Organization of African Union (OAU),(see Bujra 2002) as well the number of crises decreased than before; nevertheless, the organization after a decade, still did not achieve its goals, specifically with regard to conflict prevention.
After the adoption of the Protocol Relating to the Establishment of Peace and Security
Council in 2002 in Durban, conflict prevention became the main issue of the organization.
Article 3(b) of the Protocol clearly states that the objective for the establishment of PSC was the anticipation and prevention of conflict (African Union 2002, § 3).
Understanding the great importance of the issue at hand, this paper will discuss the practice of