General Issues relating to Africa
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This Special Research Report responds to a growing interest in how to improve the joint efforts of both the UN Security Council and the AU Peace and Security Council to prevent and end violent conflicts in Africa. For almost six years SCR has been analysing these efforts in country-specific situations and at the thematic level. But with the tenth anniversary of the AU inauguration just over a year away it seemed clear that the relationship still had many problems and was very far away from realising its potential for being an effective partnership. In an effort to provide some detailed analytical tools for the parties, this report represents the beginning of an ongoing and detailed engagement by SCR on this issue. The preliminary conclusions from this report suggest that most of the necessary institutional steps are already in place, but given the resource constraints in the UN and even more so in the AU, it is a mistake to expect the secretariats to bring about a real partnership. Leadership by the member states of both Councils will be key and engagement needs to go beyond the brief and often symbolic visits to Addis Ababa and New York. Investment of more time and member state energy will be essential. A number of possible options in this regard are identified in this report. Other possibilities including the role of the subregional bodies will be examined in future reports.
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The Working Group on Conflict Prevention and Resolution on Africa will be meeting this Friday (11 March) for the first time since South Africa took over the chairmanship of the Working Group. It is expected to discuss its Programme of...
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On 9 April Uganda circulated a draft presidential statement to Council members that addresses the recent resurgence of coups d’état in Africa. Its purpose is to support the AU decision of 3 February on the “resurgence of the scourge of coups d’état in Africa”.
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As Council president this month, France will be convening a summit-level meeting on Africa on 25 September. French President Nicolas Sarkozy will be presiding over the meeting. The President of Ghana, current Chair of the African Union, will also participate.
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A Council meeting on cross-border issues in West Africa is currently scheduled for 16 March. The format, either closed consultations or a public debate, is still being discussed. The meeting is expected to focus on the long overdue report of the Secretary-General on cross-border issues in West Africa, which was only circulated to me
