Conflict Prevention in Africa: expectations with regard to the African Union

Essay State Building


State Building and the Role of International Organizations



Conflict Prevention in Africa: expectations with regard to the African Union.








Jorrit Rosema (0068020)
jorritrosema@hotmail.com
June 2003
Introduction
Africa has known many conflicts on its soil, and many conflicts are present today. Last year the African Union (AU) became effective as the successor of the African Organization for Unity (AOU). In this essay two arguments will be made: 1. Regional organizations and especially the AU are forced to focus more and more on conflict prevention in their region. 2. In order to function effectively in conflict prevention, the AU needs to expand and secure its funding. The argumentation will be followed by concluding remarks and a few recommendations.

Analysis
During the cold war the African continent was diveded up into spheres of influence between the United States and the Soviet Union. Conflicts between and within African cou...