The African Union, formed in 2002, has one big mission: to promote peace and stability across Africa. But the road to peace hasn’t been smooth. Over the years, coups, conflicts, and violence have often overshadowed its efforts.
Since 1950, Africa has witnessed over 200 military coups, and in the last 15 years alone, several countries have seen their leaders toppled. Despite the AU's best efforts to foster peace, it hasn’t been able to stop coups in countries like Sudan, Guinea, Mali, and Zimbabwe. The AU’s track record when it comes to curbing violence isn't exactly stellar either. In countries like Sudan and the Central African Republic, civil wars have raged, causing massive destruction and suffering.
But it’s not all bad news. The African Union has had some wins along the way. It has worked hard on promoting human rights, improving economic policies, and setting up better healthcare systems. It’s also made strides in managing international aid and bringing structure to African politics. Still, there’s a long way to go.
Over the past decade, the AU has launched 14 peace missions, including six military operations in troubled countries like Mali, Somalia, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. They've also carried out civilian missions in countries like Guinea Bissau and South Sudan. The AU has received significant support from the European Union, which has contributed over 1.2 billion euros to peacekeeping efforts since 2004.
Despite all the support, however, the AU struggles to make a lasting impact. For instance, in 2021, the military in Sudan detained the prime minister, further destabilizing the country after years of tension. Just a few months earlier, in Guinea, an elite military group overthrew President Alpha Conde, who had been the first democratically-elected leader of the country. Mali’s political chaos continued with coups in both 2020 and 2021, following months of protests and an ongoing insurgency. Meanwhile, Zimbabwe’s longtime leader Robert Mugabe was ousted by the military in 2017 after nearly four decades in power.
The challenges don’t stop there. Egypt saw the military oust its first democratically-elected leader in 2013, and the Central African Republic has faced constant turmoil after rebels stormed the capital and took control.
In the face of all this, the African Union continues to fight for peace and stability, but it’s clear that there’s still a lot of work to be done. With internal conflicts, political instability, and outside pressures, the AU’s role as a peacemaker is constantly tested.
