The evolving partnership between the African Union and the Economic Community of West African states in peacebuilding

Abstract

This chapter documents the role of the African Union (AU) and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in peacebuilding processes. It argues that until the AU was created in 2011, ECOWAS had the upper hand in conflict management and peacebuilding in West Africa. The entry into force of the AU’s constitutive act made the pan-African organization more assertive in peace and security matters. The AU insisted on its responsibility to intervene or to authorize African subregional organizations to intervene in conflicts in Africa. But structural and financial weaknesses have allowed several Regional Economic Communities (RECs) in Africa to challenge the AU’s leadership, even countries in conflict calling on the RECs first. The chapter shows that this leadership dispute between the AU and RECs, such as ECOWAS, has benefited external actors such as France, whose presence in West Africa is a challenge to both the ECOWAS and the AU. To support this argument, the chapter draws on interviews conducted at the ECOWAS and AU headquarters to explore the politics involving ECOWAS, AU, and France in the resolution of the conflict in Mali.