From AMIB to AMISOM: the need for institutional and mandate clarity in APSA

African Peace and Security Architecture (APSA) is a holistic framework that has existing, permanent bodies set up to deal with every area of its peace and security activities. However, ad-hocism is the major challenge that has been observed in the practices of APSA and African peace operations.

This document clarifies that ad hoc bodies are not needed while there are standing ones that have been established for the same purposes. Rather, ad-hocism reflects an institutional failure, which is an impediment to an effective and efficient APSA, which ultimately contributes to the problem of limited capacity.

The author emphasises that the African Union (AU) must stick to its institutional framework if it is really determined to establish “an operational structure for the effective implementation of” its peace and security decisions.

Recommendations include:

• the AU has to cope with the double task of building its institutions, on the one hand, and responding to crises on the continent in a way that does not undermine APSA’s long-term institutional efficiency, on the other
• the AU Commission must work relentlessly to ensure that practices are in line with the norms set out by APSA, and work also towards achieving the required support from member states and other partners
• the AU must complete, as soon as possible, the evolutionary phase of APSA’s different pillars

The paper concludes that the likelihood of APSA achieving the dream of the continent’s people will depend on the AU’s efforts to balance immediate demands with the long-term interests of institutional development.