Post conflict societies in Africa: the role of the African union

Abstract

It is customary in lectures like this one to begin by citing a catalogue of Africa’s failures, and, if one is well disposed to Africa, one is then put on the defensive, seeking to justify and explain the unique and exceptional nature of Africa and her ills. That is Afro-pessimism. My approach today is to acknowledge that war and conflict have been a feature of Africa’s development since independence. I have no desire to defend, justify or explain that away. What I shall do in this lecture, however, is to spend time analysing the variety of instruments available to advance peace and development in Africa. My approach in particular, will be to take some country case studies, and then focus on the African Union as an agency for reconstruction and development in Africa.