DOI: https://doi.org/10.36347/sjahss.2025.v13i01.001

Pages: 1-6

Wars and armed conflict continue to be a consistent impediment to the growth and development of warring states and bring with them untold human suffering and much destruction in their wake. This is also true for wars in Africa including the five major Civil wars in Africa being, the Nigerian Civil War (Biafra War) (1967), the Somali Civil War (1991), the Rwandan Genocide (1994), the Second Congo War (considered “Africa’s World War”) (1998-2003), the Sudanese Civil War (1955-1972), (1983-2005) (2023-present), and the Eritrean-Ethiopian War (1998). Given the devastating effects of war, the early detection, prevention and mitigation of such conflict as well as post-conflict reconstruction is a major concern for governments and international actors, including the African Union and the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD). The importance of peace building and conflict resolution is therefore amply recognized across the regional and international spectra, hence its incorporation into global agencies and regional agencies including the World Bank and the United Nations, and regionally through the African Union and the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD). The African Union, being the umbrella body that encompasses 55 African countries into its membership divided into five regions being Central Africa region, Eastern Africa, Northern Africa, Southern Africa and Western Africa, holds a large presence in matters African politics, and given its expansive reach has partnered with other organizations, majorly the United Nations (UN) with the view of partnering in peace building and conflict resolution. This has been achieved through putting in place several frameworks, including the Joint UN-AU Framework for Enhanced Partnership in Peace and Security, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (2018), Agenda 2063, the AU Post-conflict Reconstruction and Development (PCRD) Policy framework, and the extended AU’s Silencing the Guns Initiative. ...