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CHAPTER ONE
1.1 INTROUCTION
In May 1963, the Organization of African Unity (OAU) was established in Addis
Ababa, Ethiopia by the then 37 independent African nations to promote unity and
development, defend the sovereignty and territorial integrity of members, eradicate
all forms of colonialism; promote international co-operation and co-ordinate
member s economic, diplomatic, educational, health, welfare, scientific and defense
policies.1
The OAU was at that time, the most significant result of Pan-Africanism. The
organization mediated several border and internal disputes and was instrumental in
bringing about majority rule and the end of apartheid in South Africa, which in1994
became the 53 rd nation to bead mitted to the organization. 2 It should be noted that
national independence pre-dominate discussion by member s states during the early
stage of the formation of OAU over continental unity. For the majority, the OAU was
created to defend rather than to abolish member states.
More than 43years have passed since the Organization of African Unity came into
existence no appreciable progress has been made in the area of peace and security
because 1Africa continent is still ravage by wars, conflicts, economic and social
problems that are threatening the continent.
The Assembly of Head of States and Government of the Organization of
African Unity (OAU) recently adopted the Constitutive Act of the African Union
(AU) to replace the Charter of the Organization of African Unity. This was done
1. Available at www.cc.columbia.edu. /cu/cup/ .OrganizationofAfricanUnity Encyclopedia website,page 1.
2. Ibid.
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engine needed by the AU to enable it move and be a much more effective
Organization. 3
The Constitutive Act of the AU and various text writers and commentators has
expressed their opinions as to the role AU is supposed to play in promoting peace
and security in the continent. The proposed thesis intends to review these various
opinions to see how far it has gone and whether the continental body has achieved
tremendous progress in the promotion of peace and security by the AU member
states as compared to what was obtained during the OAU Charter.
1.2 STATEMENTOFTHEPROBLEM
As the 21 st AU summit opened on 26 may 2013 in Addis Ababa, celebrating 50 th
anniversary with the theme of Panafricanism and African rebirth one has to
question the legacy it left behind. Many critics question the relevance of AU after
half a century since its evolution, has the institution served the people of Africa?
The major problems confronting the African continent today is lack of clear political
and economic ideology by our leaders in addressing the many ills of the continent.
The periods from 1963-1979 were one of crises and political turmoil in Africa. In
many parts of the continent, there occurred boundary disputes which reflected the
unhappy legacy of co lonia lism, political instability expressed in secessions, the grim
battle for the total liberation of the dependent territories. There has been little
progress in the real enjoyment of fundamental rights and freedoms of Africans
despite the numerous treaties, resolutions and declarations executed by the OAU in
recent memory.
3. SummaryReport:Regional Conference forAfricanParliamentariansonRecent Strategic DevelopmentInitiativesinAfrica,heldinAccra,Ghana
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from18-20April,2002,editedbyAyodeleAderinwaleandPublishedbyAfricanLeadershipForum,OtaOgunState andWorld BankInstitute,p.5.
Africa still faces serious challenges in its efforts toward the realization of human
rights for all due to impunity, lack of respect of the electoral process, poverty and
underdevelopment, globalization, and neglect of economic, social and cultural rights.
It is understatement to say that the challenges facing Africa are daunting. In an
era when advancement inTechnology is providing the world with tremendous opportunity for development
and improvement in the quality of life for mankind, the African continent is still
grappling with wars and conflicts, lack of adequate health care, HIV/AIDS pandemic,
poverty, political instability, environmental degradation, high unemployment and
bran-drain and refugee problem, deteriorating economic and living standard of the
people and lack of agricultural development and other social infrastructure. Many
thousands of African men, women and children are killed every year in regional wars.
These wars are often encouraged by regimes that give weapons and refuge to rebel
groups fighting in neighboring countries. The cycle of attack and escalation is
reckless sit is destructive and need to be stopped.
Human rights records of most African states are nothing to write home about.
The authoritarian and dictatorial regimes of these leaders make it difficult for them
to condemn the actions of other African leaders who violate human rights. African
tyrants have no right to continue to oppress their people, even if they do it within the
confines of their borders. The African Union is looking tirelessly in putting Africa on
the part of economic recovery.
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1.3 AIMSANDOBJECTIVESOFTHESTUDY
The objectives of the study, amongst others, are:-
1. To determine the role of African Unions peace operations in maintainance of
peace and security in Africa.
2. To determine the challenges presently confronting the continent.
3. To explore steps or machineries cu rr en tl y und er ta ke n by th e AU ini ts quest to achieve peace in the continent .
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4. To examine, since the attainment of independence by the African States
from their colonial masters, how has the notion of sovereignty affect the
role of AU in promoting peace and security in the continent.
5. To make suggestions to our African governments, international
community and civil society organizations on how best to restore peace
and security to all the trouble spots of African States and for enduring
peace and security as well as the promotion of human rights inthe
continent.
1.4 SIGNIFICANCEOF THESTUDY
The Role of African Union in Promoting Peace and Security in Africa is significant
because of the numerous challenges confronting African continent today. These
challenges are either general or specific. The general issues have to do with the
inability to have proper democratic structures in place. The continent is still
bedeviled with despots who do not want to relinquish power to a new generation
while the democratic process is abused. Closely linked to this also were effects of
military coups and military rule in the African continent which terminate
legitimately and democratically elected government. The result is the
infringementoffundamentalrightsofthecitizensthroughtheuseofdegreeto rule.
4. As Obasanjo Heads African Union. New Nigerian Newspaper Editorial of 11 th Aug., 2004, p.8
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On the other hand, the specific challenges confronting the continent are t he internal
strife that threatened to tear some countries apart, there by worsening the
humanitarian crisis on the continent. As at now Sudan leads other major war- torn
African countries including Liberia, Uganda, Cote d Ivoire, Democratic Republic of
Congo, Sierra Leone, Burundi with thousands of civilians killed, women raped.
Reports have it that in these regions alone about 50 villagers have been sacked and
million headed to border camps and an estimated two million people in need of
medicine and food; leading the United Nations to described the
Situation as the world s worst humanitarian crisis. 4
Today, Africa is afflicted by a growing number of intra-state conflicts of
apparently racial, religious and ethnic derivation. A growing number of civilians as
opposed to armies and security forces are becoming involved in this violence, often
for no obvious or clearly articulated political reason. 4 Ethnic and racial cleansing
combined with a cute religious extremism, intolerance or pure criminality suggests a
growing social crisis in the international system.
The instances of turmoil are the local and particular manifestations of a
common crisis of individual and group identity in the context of deepening social
inequality and fragmentation. In Africa, we see at the heart of the continent as was
the of wars stretching from Eritrea to the northern borders of Namibia. This
phenomenonconstitutessograveathreatastopromptsomekeenobserversto speculateth
at what we are witnessing is the end of a state. 5
5. RichardCornwell.LookingTowardsanUnknownFuture.Africanforum,PublishedbyALFand
WorldBankInstitute,Vol.4,Nos2&3,Aug.2000.
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They face severe food shortage or lack of drinking water. Africa is one part of the
world that is beset by the scourge of illicit mall arms and light weapons. There is no
gain saying that such civil wars and violent unrest in Africa have worsened the
internal security situations of the political entities on the continent and hampered the
ability of their government. The significance of the study further revealed that states
with more than one linguistic group (multi-nation states) have faced more internal
strife, as well as wars that are inspired by religion. While most European
States were founded as 5 nation-states, most African states were founded as multi-
Nation states due to colonial history. 6 This make the goal of unity even more
difficult toachieveastheethnicandreligiousrivalryandconstantborderconflicts are one
of the biggest challenges to A.U.
In Africa, 340 million people, or half the population live on less than one US dollar
per day. The mortality rate of children under 5 years of age is 140 per 1000 and life
expectancy atbirthisonly54years. Only 58 percent of the population has access to
safe water. The rate of illiteracy for people over 15 years is 41 per cent.
Peace and security are elusive terms in the context of Africa, a continent that
lacks pan-African machinery. Since the establishment of OAU before it was
transformed to AU, the organization remained powerless to prevent its member
states from waging war.
6.CharlesIkedikwasoeze.Obasanjo sRenewedMandateasAUChairman.New
NigerianNewspaper of31March,2005,p.16.
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Despite numerous efforts put forward to resolve armed conflicts in Africa, and
increasing success in recent years, durable peace remains an elusive goal on the
continent. The resistance of conflict in Africa poses major challenges not only
To all Africans but the UN in particular. Building durable peace in Africa requires
both good governance and sustainable development; such as political, economic and
social conditions which are needed to prevent recurrences of tensions, chaos, respect
for human rights and the rule of law.
Surely, there is a new dawn on the Africa horizon. Political liberalization, well-
focused and pragmatic economic policies, and macro-economic stabilization are
increasingly becoming shared values, particularly at political leadership level.
Already, Africa is showing overall economic growth for the first time in more than a
decade. There is a renewed sense of hope and determination as stability is being re-
discovered, investment is returning to many African countries even thought he
challenges are however still enormous.
1.5 JUSTIFICATIONOFTHESTUDY
Civil Societies in Africa are playing an increasing role, especially in the lives of African
peoples at every level on the social, cultural and political levels and even in the
democratization of the daily lives of the people in general. It is therefore imperative
to involve civil society due to the fragmentation of African states and its poverty level
which has been created by decades of bad governance. The crisis are more reflected
due to the weaknesses and even in the in eptitude of the OAU and its member states
to come out with coherent preposition aimed at solving the continent s problems.
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The world is moving towards a pluralist dynamic in search for solutions to the
several complex questions which have been brought to the fore by the evolution of
world civilizations. There is also the declining role of the state to meet the
aspirations of the citizens and therefore, It is the role of the civil societies to serve as
a symbol of stronger aspiration of the citizens to participate in state matters with
determination in the shaping of their destiny.
The justification of this study is to further analyze the reason behind the introduction
of New Partnership for African Development (NEPAD) by African Union. According to
initiators of the programme, NEPAD is aimed at 6reversing decades of socio-economic
and political decay, eradicating abject poverty, consistent with the UNs Millennium
Development Goals (MDGs), in the areas of healthcare, education, achieving a
stainable growth and development. The question is: what is and how effective is the
response capacity of the African Union in putting this to reality?
In 1991, African Leadership Forum (ALF) convened a conference in Uganda to
fashion out modalities on how to improve peace and security in Africa. It was the
outcome of that meeting that a Working Document was prepared called The Kampala
Document. 7 The Kampala Document has made a major contributions to the efforts
in improving the conceptual frame work within which peace and development can be
sustained in Africa. Peace is only possible when the principle of security undergirds
the social order. Security is the core element which makes for stability and along with
other elements, presents stability as a pre-requisite for development.
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Despite the fact that African leaders have signed, ratified/acceded to a number of
Conventions, Treaties, Protocols and Charters, especially those that have direct
bearing to conflicts management, peace and security continue to elude the continent.
This study will therefore impart to the readers the efforts
7. AmosSawyer: Towardsa FrameworkforSustainable Stability,AfricanForumJournal,Vol.4,Nos2&3.PublishedbyALF,Ota,OgunState,Nigeria,Aug.2000,p.68
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African Union is making in addressing all the ills facing the continent to day. This
study will also analyse the various institutions of the AU, especially those dealing
with economic and human rights development and proffer solutions on how to
address any possible conflicts if any.
The indebt analysis of this study will also reveal to the readers the reason behind the
transformation of OAU to AU, which according to commentators and analysts will
provide excellent opportunity for socio-economic regeneration and liberation of the
continent. Collectively, the initiatives represent the expression of the will of the
people in the pursuit of the realization of their core values and removing obstacles to
human security, tackling the problem of poverty, and putting in place the right
policies and structures to ensure equitable growth.
1.6 SCOPEAND METHODOLOGY
This study will cover the whole of Africa continent. Both the OAU and the AU will
receive attention in this study and will be examined to see what roles and
mechanisms are available in these instruments in addressing peace and security in
the continent. Conflicts resolution is about activities that seek to discover identity
and resolve the underlying root causes of such conflicts. African leaders have realized
the need to promote peace in the continent and in doing this they have also agreed to
accelerate political and socio- economic integration through partnership with other
International Organizations which is a necessary ingredient for sustainable
development of the African economy. For peace to reign in the continent, African
leaders need to clearly define the norms and standards in dealing with manifestation
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and control of conflicts. The relationship between the United Nations and African
Union in promoting peace and security in Africa will also be covered in this study.
1.7 LITERATUREREVIEW
About 3.4 millions of people have died in the African continent over the years as
result of violent conflicts, civil wars, diseases, environmental degradation ,bad
governance, religious crises and the large-scale refugee problems in the continent.
Shedrack Best (1998) 8, in his examination of the Under-developed state of Peace and Conflict studies in Africa opined that the search for peace has been one of
the primary pre-occupation of mankind. However, the study of peace and conflict is a
recent phenomenon in Africa in the field of social sciences and academic circle
generally as compared to developed world. Because of this, the concept of peace and
conflict is still greeted with obscurity, caution, confusion, Backwardness and even
rejected in most of Africa. It is this backwardness that calls for are think of the way
African statesmen and scholars are approaching the field of conflict and peace studies,
especially in the light of the proliferation of armed conflict and other forms of social
upheaval in Africa in the post cold-war era, which has led to huge humanitarian
suffering. Even though peace and conflict studies are under developed in Africa, the
trend needs to be reversed and taken to wider issues considering the rising pattern of
armed conflicts in the African continent.
8 Shedrack Best. The Under developed State of Peace and Conflict Studies inNigeria. African Peace Review: A Journal of Centre for Peace Research andConflict Resolution,Vol.2No.1,April,1998, pp. 1-15.
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8Similarly, Jimmi Adisa (1998) 9 looked at the African security needs in a
New world order and highlighted that the end of the Cold War, which was sealed by
the demise of the Soviet Union has altered the international strategic environment
and forced a radical revision of the global power structure. The effects of these are
monumental, leading to new alignments in global power formations and giving birth
to a different era in diplomatic history. The arrival of a new world order (presumably
western concept) in which the rule of law supplanted the rule of the jungle and the
natural harmony among the people only intermittently disrupted by the evil men or
hostile ideologies.
Africans in particular were initially enthusiastic about the possibilities
associated with the changing international order but due to superpower rivalry,
exacerbated and escalated domestic conflicts in many parts of the African continent,
notably, Angola, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Chad, Ethiopia, Somalia, Liberia,
Sierra Leone, etc which has placed pressure on African states to
take sides as a condition for economic, political and/or military assistance.
9 JimmiAdisa. AfricanSecurityNeedsina New WorldOrder.AfricanPeaceReview:AJournalofCentreforPeaceResearchandConflictResolution,Vol.2No.2,October,1998,pp.1-17.
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VariousfactorsassociatedtoconflictsinAfrica,amongst,whichare;crisesof
marginalization, issue of lack of good governance, human rights abuses,
economicunderdevelopment,risingwaveof domesticconflicts,turmoilandarmed
confrontationallassociatedwiththeforcesunleashedbyglobalchangesata pointin
timewhichAfrican stateshadlostthecapacitytocope.
9CalestineBassey(2001) 10 examinedsomecriticalWesternperceptionof
peaceandsecurity inAfricaandagreedthattheemergingconditionofprofound
socialcrisisgenerated bystructuraldeformitiesoftheAfricansocialenvironment
suchasthefoodcrises,deplorablemasspoverty,decimatingdiseases,pervasive
illiteracy,technologicalbackwardness, prostrateexternal dependenceand
mountingforeigndebtscombinedwithpost-coldwarsystem transformationhas
engendereda paradigmatic shift onthewesternperceptionofAfricansecurity.
Thisperception inturngreatlyaffectspeaceandsecurityoftheAfricanstates. Similarly,
anywesternpolicyfocusonAfricansecurityisbaselargelyonabstract
geopoliticalconditions andinvariably anchored tovirulentideologicaland
hegemonicrivalrybetweenthetwodominantformations ofNATOandWarsaw
PactwhoaretheprimarydeterminantsofAfricansecurityissuesandthekeyto
itsresolution.
Anydiscourse onsecuritymustnecessarilyidentifythesource,natureand
typeofthreataswellasthemanagementcapabilityandpolicyoptionstodeal withthem.
Thisinturnraisestheproblemofdomesticcoping mechanism:thatis,
thecontextofthenationalsecuritypolicyofagivencountry,comprisingthe
decisioncontext,regimetype,andtherelationshipbetweenstateandsociety
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10 CelestineO.Bassey. Some Critical ObservationsonWesternPerceptionofPeaceandSecurityin Africa.AfricanPeace Review:AJournal ofCentre forPeaceResearchandConflict Resolution, Vol.3No.1,April,2001,pp.36-57.
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including thatof civil-militaryrelations. This alsodominates the mode of
discussionandinterpretationofAfricansecurity. Therearetwopossiblefactors
affectingpeaceandsecurityinAfrica:thefirstistheexistence ofexternalthreats
whichareviolent,hostile,or militaryin form.Theseexternalthreatsarein thetype
ofexternalaggression,espionage,hostile reconnaissance,sabotage,subversion,
annoyanceandinimicalinfluencesexercisedbyadversaries. Thesecondcause
isthecoercivebehaviouralpowerofthesuperpowernationsonthedeveloping
countries.Underthisapproach,thepatternsofconflict,escalationofstrategic
interactions,breakpointsandcontainmentofviolentconflictsareprimarilyfrom
theperspectiveofthesuperandmiddlepowers,whichhavepervasiveeffecton
theunderstandingof nationalsecurity.
Onoja(1989) 11 inhisassessmentofpeace-makingasanInstrumentfor
theMaintenance ofInternationalpeaceandsecurityhighlightedseveral
Internationallegalmechanisms bywhichUnitedNationsadopt inresolving
internationalconflicts. Oneofthesemechanisms isthroughmediation,whichis
oneoftheprovisions intheCharteroftheUnitedNations. Underthismethod,
respectableinternationalpersonalities,elderstatesmen andpeopleareemployed
tousetheirgoodofficestotryandresolve suchconflicts. Thismeans is adopted to bring
hostile parties to agreement when other diplomatic
11 Lawrence Onoja. Peace-keepingandInternationalSecurityina
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ChangingWorld.PrintedandPublishedbyMonoExpressionsLtd.,Jos,PlateauState,1989,p.123.
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measuresfail. Othermethodadoptedthroughmediationispeace building,which is a
mechanismfor ensuring continued existence of peace and order after
resolutionofinternationalconflicteitherthroughpreventivediplomacy, peace-
makingor peace-keeping.
Thesecondmethodisthroughpeace-keeping whichhasreceivedgreater
attention intheCharteroftheUnitedNations. Itisaninstrumentforthe maintenance
ofinternationalpeaceandsecurity. Themeansadopted isthrough multilateral
diplomacyusuallycarried outbytheUnitedNationsSecurityCouncil s
PermanentMembersandnon-permanent members,otherregionalbodiesand
judicialprocess, throughtheInternationalCourtofJustice. TheUnitedNation s
Charteremphasized theneedtoresolveinternationalconflictthroughpeaceful meansin
orderto avoidthescourgeof war.
KeyfactorswhichareaffectingcollectivesecuritybytheUnitedNations in
maintaininginternationalpeace andsecurity arethedebtburden which hasmade
itimpossibleforunder-developedcountriesinvest intheeconomic sector thatare
likelytogeneratemoreresources forjobcreation.Secondly, theglobal
environmentalpollutionthathasdevastating effectsonthelivesofmillionsof
people.Thirdly,the threatposedby armamenthas global phenomenonthat threatened
the lives of mankind. Therefore, the
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problemofcollectivesecurityisvitaltointernationalcommunitiesforpeaceful
livingofmankind. 11
Goodrich(1974) 12 examinedthedifferentapproachestheUnitedNations
hasadoptedovertheyearsinthemaintenance ofpeaceandsecurity. First,the
UnitedNationsreframeditselffromtheuseofthreat orforceagainsttheterritorial
integrityorpoliticalindependenceofanystate. Second,membersoftheUN agreedto
settletheirinternationaldisputesbypeacefulmeansso asnotto
endangerinternationalpeace and security. Thirdly,the useof enforcement measures,
whichisthelastresorttobeadoptedbytheUNinordertomaintain peace
andsecurityareemployed.Fourth,membersoftheUNagreedtoregulate
itsnationalarmament asan importantfeature formaintainingpeaceandsecurity.
Finally,theuseofmultilateraldiplomacyinresolvingdisputesisvitalinachieving
peacefuladjustmentofunsatisfactorysituations. Inthis respect,theresponsibility
ofmaintaininginternationalpeaceandsecurity restontheSecurityCouncilofthe
UnitedNations. 12
Underbasicprinciples ofpeacekeeping,factors,suchasthecompetence of
theUNtoauthorizepeace-keepingoperations,theconsentoftheparties
involveintheconflicttoallowpeace-keeping operationsandtheneedtobe
neutralbythepeace-keepers areallimportantinordertoenablepeacekeeping
operationsoperate withoutdifficulties.
12 Goodrich,L.M.The UnitedNations inaChangingWorld.ColumbiaUniversityPress,N.Y.,1974, pp.109-110.
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Malu(2004) 13 whileexaminingtheresponsibilityforInternationalWar
Crimes,peaceandsecurityintheWestAfricanSub-regionsaidthattheaimof peace-
keepingoperationistopreventthecommissionofwarcrimesintimeof
hostilitiesandinthisrespect,theU.NSecurityCouncilhastheresponsibility world-
wideinpeace-keepingoperation. Effortsbyregionalorganizations,such asthe
AfricanUnionin contributingitspersonnelandresourcesto theUNpeace-
keepingoperationsarethereforeregardedassupplementary.Crimescommitted
inlarge-scaleduringarmedconflictsaretreatedaccordingtointernationalrules
establishedbytheInternationalCommunityandtoprosecutethosewhoarethe
perpetratorsaccusedofsuchcrimes. Inthisway,InternationalTribunalswere
establishedforthispurpose;whichincludeInternationalCriminalCourtandthe
InternationalWarCrimesor SpecialCourts. 13
Blay,F.W.A. andA.Janneh(2002) 14 intheirseparatewelcomeaddresses to the
Regional Conference for African Parliamentariansexamined poverty,
squalor,diseases especially HIV/AIDS,violentconflicts,environmental degradation,
high unemployment, brain-drain, debt burden, high level of corruption are the
factorsposing seriouschallengeto African development. AmosSawyer(2000) 15
onhispartidentifiedgoodgovernance,ruleoflawand
humanrightsinstitutionsasbasistowardsaframeworkforsustainablestability.
13 Malu,S.V.L. ResponsibilityforInternational WarCrimes,PeaceandSecurityintheWest
AfricanSub-Region.Paperpresentedat theNigerianBarAssociationConferenceheldatAbuja, 25 th August,2004,p.6.
14 Freddie F.W.A.Blay,et.al.Welcome AddresstotheRegional ConferenceforAfrican Parliamentarians onRecentStrategicDevelopmentInitiativesinAfrica,heldinAccra,Ghana from18-
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20April,2002.EditedbyAyodeleAderinwaleandPublishedbyAfricanLeadership Forum (ALF)Ota-OgunState Nigeria andtheWorldBank,pp.21-30.
15 AmosSawyer. Towarda FrameworkforSustainableStability.AfricanForumJournal,Vol.4,
Nos2&3August,2000. PublishedbyAfricanLeadershipForumOta-OgunState,Nigeria,pp.54-64.
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WhileAmoo(1997) 16 identifiedthehuman needstheoryasthemainchallenge to
ethnicityandconflictsinAfrica.
TheUnitedNationsSecretary General,KofiAnnan(2001) 17 atanaddress
totheA.USubmit inLusakachallenged Africanleaderstoliveuptoexpectationandthattheirdecisiontotransform OAUtoAUrequiretremendousleadership
courageandwillingnesstodepartfromthewaysofthepastanddoforAfrica whatthe
EuropeanUnionhasdonefor Europe. 14
AlihuMahama(2002) 18 highlightedvariousstrategieswhichtheAfrican
Unionhasadoptedtochangethenegativeperceptionof Africa.Thelaunchingof
theNewPartnershipforAfricanDevelopment (NEPAD)andtheConferenceon
Security,Stability,DevelopmentandCo-operation inAfrica(CSSDCA)is
thereforenosurpriseandrenewedefforts byAfricanleadersinpromotingpeace,
security,stabilityandsustainabledevelopmentinthecontinent.
AmaduSesay(2001) 19 emphasizedthathumanrightshavebeenand
remainoneofthemostfundamental anddominant issuesinthecontemporary
internationalsystemandpolitics. According tothelearnedProfessor,wecannot
havepeace,oranatmosphereinwhich peace could grow, unlesswerecognized
therightsofindividualhumanbeing stheirimportance,dignityandagreed that was
the basic thing that had to be accepted throughout the world.
16 Sam G.Amoo.TheChallengeofEthnicityandConflictsinAfrica.TheNeedforaNewParadigm.PublishedbyUNDPEmergencyDivision,1997.BookReviewedbyNapoleonAbdulaiinAfrican ForumJournal,Vol.4Nos2&3August,2000,pp.81-82. 17 Addressbythe UNSecretaryGeneral,KofiAnna totheOAUmeetinginLusaka,9 th July,2003.Available at htt:/ /www.un.org/News/press/doc/2001/sgsm7888.doc.htm, pp.1-3.18 AlihuMohama.OpeningStatement totheRegional Conference
forAfricanParliamentarians on RecentStrategic Development
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InitiativesinAfrica,heldinAccra,Ghana from18-20April,2002.EditedbyAyodeleAderinwaleandPublishedbyAfricanLeadershipForum(ALF)Ota-OgunState Nigeria andthe WorldBank,p.38.
19 AmoduSesay.HumanRights andthe Maintenance ofInternationalPeaceandSecurityinAfrica.
AfricanPeace Review.AJournalofCentreforPeace ResearchandConflict Resolution,Vol.3, No.1,April,2001,p.18.
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Therefore,humanrightsarelinkedtopeaceandsecurity.Thehumanrights
recordofmoststatesinAfricabothduringtheCold-WarandthePostCold-War
erawereveryappallingasthereweregrossviolationsoffundamentalrightsin
thecontinent.
Udombana(2002) 20 agreed that human rights provisions in the
Constitutive Act of the African Union are more elaborate than what was
containedintheformer Organizationof African Unity. Despite therichprovisions
ofhumanrightsintheAct,theUniversalDeclaration ofHumanRights andthe Charter
oftheUnitedNations inthefieldofhumanrights,therearestillreported
casesofhumanrightsviolationinAfrica,especially incountrieswerearmed
conflictsprevail,e.g.Liberia,SierraLeone, Sudan,Burundi,Chad,Democratic
RepublicofCongo,etc. Allthisgivescauseforsomeconcern;foritmeans,in
thefinalanalysis,thatAfricanleadersarenotgenuinelyconcernedwiththe cause
andcourseofhuman rightsinAfrica.They dosoonlyforconvenience,as ameansto
anend,notasanendinitself. 15
AmnestyInternationalin itsPublicStatement 21 of 28 th January,2005
postedtoitswebsiteaccusedAfricanUnionleaders thataredelayingthe establishment
ofaneffectiveAfricanCourtonHumanandPeople sRightsand
appealedtostatesthathavenotratifiedhumanrightstreatiestodosowithout
delay.
InformationreleasedintheA.Uwebsite(2001-2002) 22 identifiedsteps
AfricanHeadsofstatehavetakeninestablishingsomeInstitutionsthatwilldeal
withhuman rights related issues. Suchinstitutionsestablishedsofar includethe
20 NsonguruaJ.Udombana. Canthe LeopardChange itsSpots? TheAfricanUnionTreaty andHumanRights.PublishedbyAm.U.InternationalLawReview,2002,pp.1177-
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1261.21 See AmnestyInternationalPublic
Statementof28January2005, available at http. //www.amnesty.org/ ,pp.1-3.
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AfricanHumanRightsCommissionanditsProtocolestablishingtheAfrican
CourtonHumanandPeople sRights,thePeaceandSecurityCouncilofA.U,
theAfricanCharterontheRightsandWelfareoftheChild,AfricanCharteron Human and
People s Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa, the AU ConventionGoverningthe
SpecificAspectsofRefugeeProblemsin Africa.
OkechukwuEmeh(2004) 23 whileanalyzing theeffects of Smallarmsand
Africa sSecurityDilemma identifiedproliferation ofillicittradeinsmallarmsand
lightweaponsasoneofthegreatestthreatstopeace,stabilityandsecurity in Africa.
Thishasledtoincrease inwiderangeofcrimesandviolencecreating
fear,impunityandinsecurity. 16
Ladan(1999) 24 highlightedthesignificantimpactofhumanrightsinthe
fieldofinternationallawanditsevolutionandremarkablefeaturesdevelopment
ininternationallawsince1945andinformedhisaudiencethecontributions of
internationalandregionalhumanrightsinstrumentstopeaceandsecurity.On
theotherhandProfessorAyua,et.al.(2001) 25 identifiedvariousstrategiesfor
humanrightspromotionandprotection foreffectivedischargeofgovernments
whileCiroma,et.al.(2001) 26 gaveacriticalappraisaloftheeffectivenessof
internationalandregionalhumanrightsenforcementmechanism inpromoting
peaceandsecurity.
22 See variousdocuments andspeechespostedtoOAUwebsitesfrom2001-2002.23 OkechukwuEmeh. SmallArmsandAfrica sSecurityDilemma.NewNigerianNewspapersof6 October,2004,p.8.24 M.T.Ladan. IntroductiontoInternational HumanRightsandHumanitarianLaws.Publishedand PrintedbyABUPressLtd.,Zaria,KadunaState,1999,p.47.25 A.Ayua.StrategiesforHumanRightsPromotionandProtectionforEffective
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Discharge of Government sHumanRightsObligations.InLaw,HumanRightsandtheAdministrationof Justice inNigeria.(M.T.LadanEd.).EssaysinhonourofHon.JusticeM.L.Uwais,ABUPress Ltd.,Zaria,Nigeria.2004,p.131.
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1.8 ORGANIZATIONALLAYOUT
Thisstudyisdividedintofive(5)Chaptersasfollows:-
CHAPTERONE
Thisisanintroductory partofthethesiswhichdealsgenerallyonthe
statementoftheproblemwhich thethesisisallabout,aims andobjectivesofthe study,its
significancein highlightingproblemsof peaceand securityin the African continent,
justification, scope and methodology used in the study,
literaturereviewandorganizationallayoutof thethesis.
CHAPTERTWO
ChapterTwodealswithperspectiveonpeace,security,conflictsand
developmentin Africa, theinvolvement of regional organizations in peace keeping
operations in Africa; specifically AUs evolving role in peace operations: the African
Union Mission in Burundi, the African Union Mission in Sudan.
CHAPTERTHREE
ThisChapterwillfocusmainlyonthePromotion ofPeaceandSecurity in
Africa,African peace and Security Architecture.The eleven years since its evolution
and its still under construction, the role and place of the African Standby Force
within the African peace and security architecture.
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security in Africa, issues, problems, challenges and prospects will be discussed.
Othersub-regionalorganizationsinAfricainpromotingpeaceand securitywill
alsobeanalyzedhere.
CHAPTERFOUR
ChapterFourwillfocusontheAfrican Union Peacekeeping constrains and
challenges, issues and problems, opportunities and prospects. In addition,
current discussions and agreements African Union is undertaking will be
analyzed here. The implication such agreements have and its validity relative
to promotion of peace and security in Africa.
CHAPTERFIVE
Thisistheconcludingpartofthethesis.Itisthesummaryofthethesis
andtheconclusion drawnthereof. Thewriterwillalsomakerecommendations
baseduponherresearchwork,withthehopethatsuchrecommendations will
stimulatetheAssemblyofHeadsofStatesoftheAUinitsefforts inpromoting
peaceandsecurityin thecontinent.
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BIBLIOGRAPHY
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1. Goodrich,L.M.(1974).TheUnitedNationsinaChangingWorld,ColombiaUniversityPress,NewYork.
2. NsonguruaJ.Udombana(2002).CantheLeopardChange itsspots? The African
UnionTreatyandHumanRights.JournalofAm.U.International LawReview.
3. Ladan,M.T.(1999).Introduction toInternationalHumanRightsandHumanitarianLaws.Published andPrinted by ABUPressLtd., Zaria, Nigeria.
4. Ladan,M.T.et.al.(2001).Law,HumanRightsandtheAdministrationofJusticeinNigeria(M.T.Ladan(ed.).EssaysinHonourofHon.JusticeM.L.Uwais,ABUPressLtd.,Zaria,Nigeria.
5. Ayua,A.(2001).Strategies forHumanRightsPromotionandProtectionfor
EffectiveDischargeofGovernment sHumanRightsObligations.InLaw,HumanRightsandtheAdministrationofJusticeinNigeria(M.T.Ladan(ed.).EssaysinHonourofHon.Justice M.L.Uwais, ABU PressLtd.,Zaria, Nigeria
6. Amoo,S.G. (1977).TheChallengestoEthnicityandConflictsinAfrica.Theneedfor aNewParadigm.UNDPEmergencyDivision.
7. LawrenceOnoja(1989). Peace-KeepingandInternationalSecurityinaChangingWorld.MonoExpressionLtd.,JosPlateauState,Nigeria.
8. JimmiAdisa(1998).AfricanSecurityNeedsinaNewWorldOrder.African
Peace Review.AJournalofCentre forPeaceandConflictResolution.Vol.2No.1,Oct.,1998.
9. CelestineOBassey (2001).SomeCriticalAnalysis onWesternPerception onPeaceandSecurityin Africa.AfricanPeaceReview.AJournalof CentreforPeaceandConflictResolution.Vol.3No.1,April,2001.
10. Malu,S.V.I.(2004). ResponsibilityforInternationalWarCrimes,PeaceandSecurityinWestAfrican Sub-Region.Paperpresentedat theNigerianBarAssociationConferenceheldin Abuja,22-27August,2004.
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JOURNAL/PROCEEDINGS/NEWSPAPERS/INTERNET MATERIALS
1. TheWebsiteof theOrganizationofAfricanUnity(OAU)Encyclopedia.
2. KofiAnnah.UNSecretaryGeneralAddresstoOAUmeetinginLusaka,9July, 2001 available at htt:/ /www.un.org/News/press/doc/2001/sgsm7888.doc.htm.
3. AmnestyInternationalStatement,availableat itswebsiteof 27/1/2005.
CHARTER/PROTOCOL/CONVENTIONS
1. TheCharterof theOrganizationof AfricanUnity(OAU)
2. heUNCharterof theUniversalDeclarationof HumanRights
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