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

The hidden consequences of Covid-19

1 Mar 2021

It is no secret that the consequences of the pandemic we are now in the midst of, are enormous. But did you know that covid-19 may contribute to a reversal of the global work on women's rights? Or that it may lead to a dramatic decrease in peace operations?

Sårbare stater Pandemier Opprørsgrupper Humanitarian issues Peace operations United Nations AU Styring Globalisering International economics Utenrikspolitikk Development policy
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

All news about au (total 6)

Publications about au

Publication : Popular scientific article
Ad Hoc Crisis Response and International Organisations (ADHOCISM)
2021
- - John Karlsrud
International organisations (IOs) are created with the aim of solving collective action problems when a crisis arises. Yet, member states have repeatedly established ad hoc crisis responses in situations where IOs might be expected to play a central role. ADHOCISM asks what is the impact of ad hoc crisis...
Security policy Terrorisme og ekstremisme NATO Utenrikspolitikk The Middle East and North Africa Africa Sårbare stater Opprørsgrupper International organizations The EU United Nations AU
Publication : Policy brief
Understanding Ad-Hoc Security Intitiatives in Africa
2021
The policy brief examines the rise of ad-hoc security initiatives (ASIs) as an established type of collective security mechanism. ASIs are intended to eliminate threats posed by non-state armed groups, and operate across the borders of participating countries to enable the pursuit of such groups. ASIs have...
Africa Conflict resolution Peace operations United Nations AU
Publication : Popular scientific article
Pathways towards a revitalised Africa-Europe strategic partnership
2020
- - Cedric H. de Coning
The African Union and European Union were scheduled to adopt a new strategic partnership agreement at an AU-EU summit in October 2020, but it had to be postponed due to COVID-19 risks and related delays. This may be a blessing in disguise, as it gives the negotiators more time to adapt the relationship...
AU Africa The EU Europe