The Roles of African Union Vis-A-Vis Human Security in Africa

Abstract

The incompatibility of sub-regional blocs with the progress and unity of Africa brought about the call for a strongly unified instrument that would champion the course of a united Africa within the international system. As a result, the defunct Organization of African Unity (OAU) was established in 1963, mainly to ensure and assist liberation movements in Africa. The O.A.U. registered some modest successes but unfortunately, there were also significant failures and numerous problems that hampered its successes. The price of its failure, left Africa with many developmental and security challenges and it was the search to solve these problems of O.A.U that led to its metamorphosis into the African Union.

The aim of this study was to examine the roles of African Union vis-à-vis human security in Africa. The study was historical and qualitative in nature and also involved the use of secondary data for analysis. The secondary data used were in form of books, journals and articles, both published and unpublished materials and internet sources that are related to the study.

Based on the analysis, it was established that AU scored a number of successes during its early history especially in mediation, settling of border disputes and giving financial supports. The organization was also involved in the Post-Conflict Reconstruction and Development. The objectives and desire to bring about a virile peace and human security in African region brought about the transformation of OAU to AU but those objectives were clearly defeated.

The study concluded that African governments failed to address key and specific values of human security and thus raising questions on the relevance of AU and it was recommended that African leaders should be more committed to the principles and objectives that underline the formation of the African Union. And also, they should incorporate all social structures within the region in achieving human security objectives.