Toward a more effective UN-AU partnership on conflict prevention and crisis management

While the organisations’ collaboration on peacekeeping has been extensively studied, other dimensions warrant a closer look.

The United Nations and the African Union (AU) have worked in tandem since the AU’s establishment in 2002. During this time, their partnership has evolved to focus increasingly on conflict prevention and crisis management, culminating in the 2017 Joint UN-AU Framework for Enhanced Partnership in Peace and Security. While the organizations’ collaboration on peacekeeping has been extensively studied, other dimensions of the partnership warrant a closer look to understand how to foster political coherence and operational coordination.

Authors

Daniel Forti is a Policy Analyst at the International Peace Institute.

Priyal Singh is a Researcher at the Institute for Security Studies.

The INTERNATIONAL PEACE INSTITUTE (IPI) is an independent, international not-for-profit think tank dedicated to managing risk and building resilience to promote peace, security, and sustainable development. To achieve its purpose, IPI employs a mix of policy research, strategic analysis, publishing, and convening. With staff from around the world and a broad range of academic fields, IPI has offices facing United Nations headquarters in New York and offices in Vienna and Manama

The INSTITUTE FOR SECURITY STUDIES (ISS) partners to build knowledge and skills that secure Africa’s future. The ISS is an African nonprofit with offices in South Africa, Kenya, Ethiopia, and Senegal. Using its networks and influence, the ISS provides timely and credible policy research, practical training, and technical assistance to governments and civil society.

Picture: UN Photo/Cia Pak and Andrew Moore