Development of the Current African Peace and Security Architecture
Development of the Current African Peace and Security Architecture

Summary/Abstract: The African continent has for many decades been the epitome of conflicts. They are associated with many factors including arbitrary artificial borders created by the colonial powers, governance deficiency, dictatorial political leadership, resource competition, and mismanagement of ethnic diversity. Attendant results have been continental insecurity, instability, and economic stagnation. To respond to the security trajectory challenges, the African Union (AU) developed the African Peace and Security Architecture (APSA) in 2002. This article mirrors the activities of the APSA and highlights some of AU’s past and current peace missions and support activities. It commences by identifying the reasons behind the establishment of APSA which included the inaction by the then Organization of the African Union (OAU) in the internal affairs of its member states and also the failure of the United Nations and the international community to prevent and act on the Rwanda Genocide in 1994. Moreover, the article points to some challenges encountered, and opportunities for possible reforms to enhance peace, security, and stability within the continent.

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