Paper short abstract:

This paper assesses the dominant discourse of ‘African solutions to African problems’ from within the African Union. It reveals a contestation between regional and sub-regional narratives on the leadership of peace and security within the continent and proposes ways of dealing with the challenge.

Paper long abstract:

This paper assesses the dominant discourse of 'African solutions to African problems'. African ownership and leadership in peace and security is both promoted and contested in African and Western literature respectively. The paper examines the contestation between regional and sub-regional narratives on African solutions to African problems. It specifically analyses the African Union and Southern African Development Community (SADC) interactions in resolving Madagascar conflicts from 2008 to present. Using the lens of agency theory and social construction the paper argues that African Union expansionist approach to peace and security in the continent is both supported and contested by sub-regional groups like SADC. The paper further argues that African Union narratives on continental governance lacks critical leadership elements in promoting peace and security in the continent. The paper utilises recent primary data collected through interviews with senior African Union and SADC officials and independent peace and security experts at both African Union Headquarters and SADC Headquarters.

The analysis reveals that the contemporary peace and security architecture in Africa is ambiguous on the division of labour and leadership between African Union and sub regional institutions. The paper further reveals that the philosophy of African solutions to African problems that drives the African Union narrative on self-determination in further replicated at SADC sub-regional level and creates competition in steering the African peace and security agenda. The findings raise a question: Does African Union need to sort out the in house competition in order to mitigate African peace and security challenges?