A Review of the African Union Framework and Mechanism on Political Peace and Security

This paper reviews the African Union's (AU) key frameworks adopted in response to unconstitutional changes of government and which identify the best practices in relation to conflict management and elections. These include the Constitutive Act of the African Union of 2000, Lomé Declaration on the Framework for an OAU Response to Unconstitutional Changes of Government of 2000, the Declaration Governing Democratic Elections in Africa of 2002, the Declaration on Observing and Monitoring Elections of 2002, the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance (ACDEG) of 2007, and the Ezulwini Framework for the Enhancement of the Implementation of Measures of the African Union in Situations of Unconstitutional Changes of Government (African Union Peace and Security, 2009). Despite the existence of these frameworks for best practices in conflict management, the AU has faltered in its application when the need has arisen. The recurrence of election-related violence and other forms of unconstitutional changes of government, and AU's consequent response have exposed the its shortfalls and incompetence in managing conflict. The findings in this paper point to the fact that, unless the AU embraces its commitment to protecting democratic development in the continent, Africa faces a difficult and daunting task towards consolidating democracy. Hence, this study recommends that member states commit more resources in order to prevent, manage and resolve election-related conflict.