Theme

The African Union (AU)

The African Union is a regional organization consisting of 55 member states in the African continent. Established in 2002, its main goal is to enhance peace, prosperity, as well as political and economic integration. Our research focuses mainly on what the African Union does to promote peace, security and stability on the continent.

The challenges facing Africa as a continent are complex and multi-faceted. These include rising levels of violent extremism, radicalization and terrorism, increased migratory flows, and chronic problems related to poverty, governance and development. In this context, regional organisations like the African Union have become important actors, and partners, in the maintenance of stability. For example, the AU has authorised more than a dozen peace support operations since 2002 to conflict zones across Africa.

NUPI, mainly through its flagship programme, Training for Peace, conducts research on evolving security trends in Africa and how the AU responds to these. Together with partners in the Global South, the programme supports the AUC mainly through research and policy development, to build its capacity to prevent, manage and resolve conflicts, and promote stability in Africa.
Some of the questions we seek to answer are:

What are the most challenging security threats facing the African continent, and how are they evolving?
What are the African Union’s strategies and responses to these security challenges?
How can African Union peace operations better respond to contemporary security challenges?
How can African Union peace and security interventions be more comprehensive, that is, take into account questions related to human rights, prevention, development and governance?

News about au

How is the COVID-19 pandemic affecting the Africa-Europe partnership?
20 May 2020
- - Jenny Nortvedt
It is already clear that the COVID-19 pandemic has the potential to significantly disrupt the political, economic and social fabric in Africa and Europe, but how will it affect the relationship between Africa and Europe?

Africa AU Europe The EU Pandemier
Sustaining Peace in the time of COVID-19
12 May 2020
- - Jenny Nortvedt
NUPI is present with several events at the Stockholm Forum on Peace and Development. See them all here!

United Nations International organizations Peace operations Security policy Conflict resolution Nasjonsbygging Pandemier Sårbare stater AU Africa
Op-ed: COVID-19: The AU must adapt, not wait. It’s needed now more than ever.
9 Apr 2020
- - Cedric H. de Coning
(African Arguments, April 1, 2020) At the very time the African Union is most needed to manage crises, many of its operations have been put on hold.

Peace operations Humanitarian issues AU International organizations Pandemier

All news about au (total 5)

Publications about au

Publication : Report
COVID-19 and the African Union. Challenges, prospects and side-effects
2020
- - Cedric H. de Coning
The African Union is coordinating the effort to contain the spread of COVID-19 in Africa, but the measures introduced are also significantly disrupting the reforms, programmes and operations of the AU.
Africa International organizations AU Pandemier
Publication : ARTIKKEL
Disengaging from violent extremism: The case of al-Shabaab in Somalia
2019
- - Ingvild Magnæs Gjelsvik
Disengagement, rehabilitation and reintegration for members of violent extremist groups during ongoing conflict is a tricky matter. Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration (DDR) programmes are normally implemented after a peace agreement is in place. However, this does not apply to south central...
Conflict resolution Africa Terrorisme og ekstremisme Opprørsgrupper Sårbare stater Nasjonsbygging AU Security policy
Publication : NUPI Policy Brief
Should I stay or should I go? Security considerations for members leaving al-Shabaab in Somalia
2019
- - Ingvild Magnæs Gjelsvik
The Somali jihadi organization al-Shabaab, yet again featured in the news internationally when they attacked a business and hotel complex in Nairobi 15 January this year. This is not the first time the group carries out largescale attacks outside the Somali boarders. Other examples are the Garissa University...
Security policy Africa