You can reach my MA thesis through the
below web:
https://ujdigispace.uj.ac.za/handle/10210/2274
Suggested Citation:
Siradag, A. (2009). Cooperation
between the African Union (AU) and the European Union (EU) with regard to
peacemaking and peacekeeping in Africa. Johannesburg: University of
Johannesburg.
Abstract:
Since the end of the Cold War era, peace
and security have been the first priority of the African states. Africa has
been afflicted by armed conflicts, wars and genocide since the African states
gained their independence in 1960s. Presently, there are still some countries
that are involved in conflicts including Sudan and Somalia. Armed conflicts
undermine Africa's social and economic developments. Furthermore, this
situation threatens African political stability in particular, peace and
security. The international community is actively engaged in promoting peace,
security and stability in Africa. So far, the United Nations (UN) has conducted
eighteen peacekeeping operations and it still leads eight peacekeeping
operations in Africa. It was found that peacekeeping operations are crucial to
sustain peace and stability on the continent. The focus and aim of this study
is to investigate cooperation between the European Union (EU) and the African
Union (AU) with regard to peacemaking and peacekeeping in Africa. It was found
that cooperation between the EU and AU has increased since the first EU-Africa
Summit in Cairo in 2000. Both the EU and the AU have recently strengthened
their relationship in a wide range of activities including human rights and
governance, economic growth as well as peace and security. Importantly, the
second EU-Africa Summit was held in Lisbon, in December 2007. At this, the EU
highlighted the importance of a comprehensive, robust and long-term framework
for its relations with the AU. The EU and Africa are connected by strong
historical, trade and colonial links and the EU has a deep interest in a
prosperous and stabilised Africa. Meanwhile, armed conflicts not only paralyse
the African continent's, but also the European states' interests. Thus, the EU
has reinforced its relationship with the AU in the fields of peace and security.
