AFRICAN UNION’S CONFLICT INTERVENTION FRAMEWORK AND THE MALIAN CONFLICT, 2012-2022

Abstract

This study interrogate the African Union’s institutional framework and engagement in the Malian between2012-2022.The study was guided by Organizational theory as theoretical framework of analysis and the idea of the theory is rooted on the fact that African Union as an organization has an institutional mechanisms and procedures to resolve conflict within the African region. The Malian conflict is complex one, involving various factors which triggered it. The theory addressed the role played by the African Peace and Security Architecture (APSA) which includes the role of Peace and Security Council (PSC), the Continental Early Warning System (CEWS), the Panel of the Wise (PoW). The study adopted qualitative descriptive research design and data were gathered from secondary sources which included textbooks, publications/newspapers, journal and articles and data were analyzed through content analysis. The study recommends that while it is true that African Union leaders and organs are committed to resolving the Malian crisis through interventions, such intervention like others around the globe are inherently and essentially reactive. African Union must go beyond such reactive intervention to strengthening good governance in the region as provided for in the good governance protocol. This can stem the systemic failures that water the ground for state inflicted and armed group’s violence. The study also recommends that the institutional mechanisms and procedures of the African Union should be well- funded in order to function effectively and efficiently and finally, the organ of the Continental Early Warning System should be pro-active in duty in order to provide timely information on violent conflicts before the conflict even erupt.