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:

1. What are the most challenging security threats facing the African continent, and how are they evolving?
2. What are the African Union’s strategies and responses to these security challenges?
3. How can African Union peace operations better respond to contemporary security challenges?
4. 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?