Beyond 2020: exploring the potential for a stronger UN-AU peacebuilding partnership

A more meaningful partnership should leverage each organisation’s strengths and complement their limitations.

Effective and sustainable multilateral peace and security initiatives in Africa depend on a strong partnership between the United Nations and the African Union. While their strategic partnership has grown since 2017, collective peacebuilding efforts still lag behind cooperation in other areas. Different institutional mandates, policy frameworks and operational practices have led them to carve out distinct roles in the multilateral peacebuilding space, often impeding closer cooperation. This report analyses these dynamics and identifies opportunities for a more robust and effective partnership.

This publication is part of a joint project by the ISS and the International Peace Institute on the UN-AU partnership for peace and security.

About the authors

Priyal Singh is a Researcher in the Peace Operations and Peacebuilding Programme at the ISS. He holds an MA with Distinction in International Relations from the University of the Witwatersrand.

Daniel Forti is a Senior Policy Analyst at the International Peace Institute’s Brian Urquhart Center for Peace Operations. He holds an MA in International Affairs from Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs.

Cover image: Amelia Broodryk/ISS