UNDERSTANDING THE DYNAMICS OF AFRICAN UNION REGIONAL SECURITY INITIATIVES FROM A CONSTRUCTIVIST PERSPECTIVE

Abstract

Africa, with its failed and failing states, weak institutions, ungoverned spaces, and widening socio-economic inequalities, has increasingly experienced endemic conflict. The continent’s security has become a growing concern for the United States and other global powers. Today, the African security environment is dynamic, characterized by a volatile mix of conflict, instability, and state fragility. This paper observes that Africa faces a combination of fragile governments, weak institutions, pervasive poverty, and a legacy of recurrent violent conflict, while simultaneously becoming increasingly integrated into the global security architecture. In an era of globalization, global insecurity poses a significant threat to the continent. From a Constructivist perspective—which emphasizes the role of shared values, norms, and interests—the African Union seeks to address a broad spectrum of traditional and non-traditional security threats through regional and international security engagement and activism. This study examines African strategies for ensuring peace, security, and stability at national, sub-regional, and regional levels. The paper describes the African Union’s approach to peace and security as a constructivist-inspired cooperative security framework and demonstrates that sub-regional organizations are vital actors in the continent’s security architecture. This study employs a qualitative research methodology, drawing on primary sources and relevant secondary and tertiary documents. It concludes with recommendations designed to strengthen regional security mechanisms and deliver more effective, results-oriented outcomes.