Abstract
This article examines the conflict management potential of the African Union (AU) and its regional economic communities (RECs), in particular ECOWAS and SADC, in light of the relationship between the central and ‘subordinate’ actors. An apparent misalignment in vision seems to be the result of the Organisation of African Unity's origins and regime-driven behaviour, its limited peacemaking and peacekeeping experiences, and the dynamics associated with its transition to the AU. A perennial shortage of human and material resources to effectively tackle African crises has had a further debilitating impact. The article provides a brief overview of the security constructions at the levels of the AU, ECOWAS and SADC, after which it explores the relationship between the AU, the UN and RECs. It concludes that despite the shaky pillars of the African peace and security architecture, several opportunities exist to bring about an improvement in these relations, and consequently, Africa's ability to manage and resolve its crises.
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