The African Union and regional economic communities

Abstract

This chapter argues that the AU needs to adopt a different approach to conflict intervention, development and political participation from that which the West has always recommended in the form of liberal peace. The liberal peace approach refers to political processes of post-conflict reconstruction that put emphasis on human rights, democracy, economic liberalization and the rule of law. The chapter also argues that a critique of the liberal peace approach is not enough. It is important to look at the positive aspects of liberal peace and the potential initiatives that could contribute to attaining successful post-conflict reconstruction processes. The chapter looks at the normative understanding of post-conflict reconstruction. It analyses the conceptualization of post-conflict reconstruction within the AU conflict intervention framework. The chapter discusses conflict intervention mechanisms, liberal peace perspectives and the debates on the current trends of peace and military interventions in Africa.