Africa's New Peace and Security Architecture: Promoting Norms, Institutionalizing Solutions / Edition 1

by J. Gomes Porto, Ulf Engel

Overview

This volume offers an informed and critical analysis of the operationalization and institutionalization of the peace and security architecture by the African Union and Africa's Regional Economic Communities (RECs). In creating this architecture, the African Union and the RECs tread new ground with potentially significant consequences to the lives and livelihoods of millions of Africans who are affected by war and armed conflict. In-depth, critical chapters inform, clarify and provide key points for reflection on the architecture as a whole as well as on each of the structures currently under implementation. The volume examines the institutions that will carry the mandate forward, raises pertinent research questions for the successful operationalization of the architecture and debates the medium and long-term challenges to implementation. Students and researchers of African approaches to peace building, conflict resolution and regional security will benefit from the deep and critical engagement of issues covered in this volume by world renowned scholars and practitioners.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780754676058
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	04/01/2010
Series:	Global Security in a Changing World
Edition description:	1
Pages:	179
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.20(h) x 0.70(d)

About the Author

Professor Ulf Engel, Institute of African Studies & Centre for Advanced Study, University of Leipzig, Germany and Dr J. Gomes Porto, University of Bradford, UK

Table of Contents

Contents: Africa's new peace and security architecture: an introduction, Ulf Engel and João Gomes Porto; Regional security in a global perspective, Frederick Söderbaum and Björn Hettne; Heritage and transformation: from the Organization of African Unity to the African Union, Klaas van Walraven; The Peace and Security Council of the African Union: from design to reality, Kathryn Sturman and Aïssatou Hayatou; The panel of the wise, Tim Murithi and Charles Mwaura; The continental early warning system: methodology and approach, El-Ghassim Wane, Charles Mwaura, Shewit Hailu, Simon Kopfmueller, Doug Bond, Ulf Engel and João Gomes Porto; The African stand-by force, Jakkie Cilliers and Johann Pottgieter; The African peace and security architecture: an evolving security regime?, João Gomes Porto and Ulf Engel; Bibliography; Index.

Editorial Reviews

'...a tremendously useful analysis of the evolving peace and security "architecture" of the African Union. The fact that some of the authors have had direct involvement in the creation of the new institutions gives added value. The book provides an institutional baseline against which others will assess how well this architecture succeeds in reducing the continent’s exposure to debilitating armed conflict.' Christopher Cramer, School of Oriental & African Studies, UK '...provides useful and timely insights into challenges and prospects for implementation of the principle of responsibility to protect in post-Cold War Africa. Its engagement with both the theory and practice of collective responsibility for common security in a fluid international environment makes the book particularly de rigueur. The plurality of perspectives immaculately woven together creates a seamless treatise of one of the most complex scholarly subjects of our time.' Siphamandla Zondi, Executive Director: Institute for Global Dialogue, Midrand, RSA '...the book will serve as a handy reference volume for those interested in the organizational make-up of the AU's peace and security mandate.' International Affairs ’...provides an informed and critical analysis of how the continent’s peace and security architecture could take root. The book is on significance because some of the authors were directly involved in the establishment of the AU’s peace and security architecture, with specific reference to the Continental Early Warning System - that is crucial to dealing with conflict in Africa before it gets out of hand.’ African Prospects Magazine

From the Publisher