GOVT-579 African Union: Conflict Transformation and Accountability

Professor Villa-Vicencio

The African Union (AU) is both a vulnerable and a potentially significant vehicle for African partnership and good governance. Central to its endeavours are security, the rule of law, democracy, institution building, economic growth and human development in each of its member states and across the continent.


This course focuses on the vision of the AU, which is critically assessed. Consideration is given to realistic options for African renewal through its different structures, including the Pan-African Parliament, Peace and Security Council, the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD), the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) and the African Court of Justice.


Attention is further given to the relationship between the United Nations (UN) and the AU. Three specific case studies that reflect political tensions in Africa are addressed. These are developed around the Acholiland conflict in Uganda, the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) in Sudan and the current conflict in Kenya. Students will be given the opportunity to write their final (third) paper on an African country of their choice, other than these particular countries.


An underlying question within the course is on the extent to which external or international interventions are able to address local and regional African problems. The course culminates in a structured debate on “Internationalism and Localism in the Promotion of Peace and Justice in Africa.”


Required Reading:


John Akokpari, Angela Ndinga-Muvumba and Tim Murithi (eds.), The African Union and its Institutions (Johannesburg: Fanel, 2008)

Charles Villa-Vicencio, Walk With Us and Listen: Building Sustainable Reconciliation in Africa (Georgetown: GUP, 2009)


Additional readings will be made available on Blackboard.

Credits: 3

Prerequisites: None

Other academic years
There is information about this course number in other academic years:

• 2009-2010 Fall and Spring
• 2010-2011 Fall and Spring
• 2012-2013 Fall and Spring

More information
Look for this course in the schedule of classes.

The academic department web site for this program may provide other details about this course.