Africa's New Peace and Security Architecture: Promoting Norms, Institutionalizing Solutions by Ulf Engel & João Gomes Porto

Author:Ulf Engel & João Gomes Porto [Engel, Ulf & Porto, João Gomes]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Political Science, General
ISBN: 9781409499671
Google: 2tEDv_-NK-gC
Barnesnoble:
Goodreads: 17552925
Publisher: Ashgate Publishing
Published: 2010-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Preventive Diplomacy and the Panel of the Wise

The Panel of the Wise can “facilitate the establishment of channels of communication between the Council and the Chairperson of the Commission, on the one hand, and parties engaged in a dispute, on the other hand, in order to prevent such dispute from escalating into conflict” (African Union 2007, Modalities of Action, 1b). In addition, it can “carry out fact-finding missions as an instrument of conflict prevention […] conduct shuttle diplomacy between parties to a conflict in cases where parties are not ready to engage in formal talks” (African Union 2007, Modalities of Action, 1c and 1d). When it deems it necessary the Panel is also mandated to issue a press release or a statement on any matter that it is considering. This, in effect, constitutes an array of tools for deploying preventive diplomacy.

However, the Panel’s modalities of action also include the provision for its members to support AU mediation teams in their efforts. In cases where a dedicated AU Special Envoy or Representative has been appointed the Panel can provide support by undertaking additional shuttle diplomacy or behind the scenes confidence building between parties. In post-conflict situations the Panel can also “assist and advise parties on how to resolve disputes related to the implementation of peace agreements” and encourage parties to “carry out reconciliation processes” (African Union 2007, Modalities of Action, 1e).

The Panel of the Wise is also conscious of the fact that its engagement with situations has to add value to the overall promotion of conflict prevention and conflict reduction. In this regard, the Panel has adopted five criteria that will serve as a litmus test of when it should engage in crisis situations (African Union Peace and Security Department 2008, 23), including: (1) the degree to which a conflict situation already receives regional and international attention. Conflicts that have been neglected for lack of resources or other reasons may be especially appropriate cases for the Panel to engage with; (2) whether the PSC is already seized with a particular conflict situation and whether additional attention by the Panel may add further value to existing efforts; (3) whether a given situation has remained in conflict for a considerable amount of time or is in danger of descending into conflict, despite multiple mediation and negotiation efforts. In such a situation, the Panel may advise and strengthen existing efforts, inject new urgency to mediation processes, or take a fresh look at the conflict dynamics at play; (4) whether a conflict situation has experienced a sudden and speedy decline; and, finally, (5) whether a conflict situation has experienced difficulties in implementing a peace agreement and, therefore faces the risk of reverting to conflict.

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