18 Mar 2009: ISS Seminar, Pretoria: The AU and the Challenge of Unconstitutional Changes of Government in Africa

ISS Seminar: The AU and the Challenge of Unconstitutional Changes of Government in Africa
Pretoria, 18 March 2009

 

Presented by the African Security Analysis Programme (ASAP)

 

In recent months, military coups (Mauritania and Guinea) have resurfaced in West Africa, a region, which has otherwise made great strides in coming to terms with autocratic regimes. Based on their numerous declarations and charters, the African Union and Regional Economic Communities have developed mechanisms to deal with unconstitutional changes of government and attempt to ban this from the political landscape of Africa. However, the persistence of coups is an indicator of both their apparent attraction and of loopholes within AU existing mechanisms. The latter affect the pan-African organisations’s roles as entrepreneur of good governance and constitutional norms in the continent.

 

This seminar will address the AU’s responses to unconstitutional changes of government, with special reference to Mauritania and Guinea, and highlight the need of an African governance architecture that will reinforce existing mechanisms.

 

Presenters:

 

• Dr David Zounmenou, Senior Researcher, African Security Analysis Programme

• Mr Issaka Souaré, Senior Researcher, African Security Analysis Programme

 

Chair: Dr Paul-Simon Handy, Head, African Security Analysis Progamme

 

Date: Wednesday, 18 March 2009
Time: 10h30 (tea and coffee)
11h00 (seminar starts)
13h00 (seminar ends, Finger lunch)
Venue: ISS Conference Room, Block C, Brooklyn Court, 361 Veale Street, New Muckleneuk, Tshwane (Pretoria)
(Parking in Brooklyn Mall and ABSA court)

 

RSVP: Ms Maria Maluleke, Tel: (012) 346 9500; Fax: (012) 460 0997/8; E-mail: [email protected]

 

Please note that discussions occur under Chatham House rules, i.e. no attribution without specific permission

 

Seminar Documentation