Key decisions and issues emerging from the African Union Summit
African leaders met at a particularly trying time for the continent. Notable deliberations and decisions emerged from the Summit. Leadership changes occurred in the top echelons of the institution.
Dr Salim Ahmed Salim: an African transformational leader and a consensus builder
On the occasion of Dr. Salim Ahmed Salim’s 80th birthday, many of his friends took part recently in an online celebration and paid tribute to him for his exceptional contribution to his home country Tanzania, the UN, and the OAU.
Exit of AMISOM: Consolidating Gains and Charting New Trajectories in the African Union Presence in Somalia
AMISOM was a child of necessity, birthed in the context of an exacerbated Somali conflict and the emergence of the ICU in 2006 as the dominant force in the fight for the control of Mogadishu.
Africans Welcome China’s Role in Peace and Security, but are Pushing for Greater Agency and Responsibility
Peace and security were not initially on FOCAC’s agenda when it started in 2000. While African countries pushed for this, their Chinese partners were hesitant. Today, the picture looks very different and China is now engaged in various peace operations in Africa.
Africa-Europe Summit: A common agenda around climate change?
International emergencies, create a major opportunity to recast cooperation and elevate it, truly, to a ‘mutually-beneficial’ partnership between Europe and Africa. One area where cooperation will be tested is in the area of climate change.
Africa: Pawn in a new world dis-order
A new cold war is emerging, characterised by a new arms race, space race, cyber-technology race, and an age-old race for land, resources, and influence. Once again Africa finds herself a pawn…this time in an emerging new world dis-order.
Brace yourselves for a new Cold War
Africa is again becoming the stage for the proxy wars of foreign powers.
Democracy is increasingly under pressure in South Africa and elsewhere in Africa
The situation in South Africa is a microcosm of what is prevailing in the rest of Africa. The marginalised majority have continued, over these three decades, to live in hope.
African Union shows global leadership on the climate-peace nexus
The AU has shown global leadership on how to integrate the climate-peace nexus. The March 2021 PSC meeting at heads of state level decided to also develop a common African position on the nexus between climate, peace and security.
Bottom-up approaches to peace: a holistic approach to conflict prevention and peacebuilding
Communal conflicts in Africa are multi-dimensional and they vary from state to state. Community led peace initiatives can be inclusive when they involve a wide range of actors including in particular elders, religious leaders, women and the youth.