African Union and Its Quest for Peace and Security: Challenges and the Way Forward

Abstract

The UN Secretary General remarked that: ‘I call on all warring parties to lay down their weapons and observe a global ceasefire. To them I say: Stop the killings and the destruction, and create space for lasting peace.’^[1] This statement is apt because there is no society that can progress without peace and security. Thus, at the international level, the UN inserted in its Charter the two concepts of peace and security. In furtherance of this, other regional bodies have followed suit. Because the society was simple in form in those days, it was easy to maintain relative peace and security. Presently, the situation has changed. This is attributed to many reasons ranging from rapid growth in population, modernization, intolerance of people among themselves, etc. As a result of all these and many others, continuous efforts are now geared towards the search for peace and security on the continent; yet, the desired results have not been achieved. In Africa, for example, most parts of the country have faced challenges of insecurity and terrorism, among others. Therefore, this paper is aimed at examining the efforts made by the African Union to promote peace and security among its members. This is desirous because peace and security are the focal points of the AU Charter. Although, one would want to ask what is the extent of achievements of its efforts in achieving this dream? The answer to this question would be revealed in the body of this work.

Key words: African Union, Peace, Security.

[1]. UN Secretary General, Banki Moon, on the International Day of Peace, 21, Sept, 2015.