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P025


African perspectives on Libya 
Convenors:
Linnea Gelot (Swedish Defence University)
Alex de Waal (Fletcher School, Tufts University)
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Location:
C4.02
Start time:
29 June, 2013 at
Time zone: Europe/Lisbon
Session slots:
1

Short Abstract:

The Libya crisis gave rise to controversy in Africa especially centring around the issues of sovereignty and ownership. This panel will address some issues that divide African countries in regard to military interevention, sovereignty and human security ideals. What are some of the current patterns in African power dynamics?

Long Abstract:

Against the backdrop of the crisis in Libya there is a need to critically reinterpret the role of the African Union and its credibility and legitimacy in ensuring peace and security. The political crisis in Libya gave rise to intense discussion and controversy in Africa especially centring around the issues of sovereignty and ownership. This panel will address some issues that continue to divide African countries now that the demise of Kadhafi has left a 'security vacuum' in African power dynamics: What is the role and relevance of the 'African Solution to African problems' mantra? When is external intervention in Africa legitimate? Why did some African states support the NATO intervention in Libya and others were strongly against it? What is the significance of the AU's emerging partnerships with the Arab League and BRICS? Thus, panelists use Libya as an illustration of changing power dynamics in and around the African Union. This is important because so far little has been written about the African perspectives on the Libya crisis. These perspectives are interesting in their own right and they also tell us something about the type of peace and security actor that the African Union is becoming.

Accepted papers:

Session 1