The Nexus between Constitutionalism, Peace and Security in the Law and Practice of the African Union

Trésor Muhindo Makunya

doi:10.5771/2363-6270-2022-1-53

Contents
- Chapter Expand | CollapseAuthorsPage
- 1–2 Titelei/Inhaltsverzeichnis 1–2
- 3–4 Preface and Acknowledgments 3–4
- 5–11 General Introduction Balingene Kahombo Balingene Kahombo 5–11
- 12–29 Constitutional Crises and the Jurisdiction of the African Union Balingene Kahombo Balingene Kahombo 12–29
- 30–52 Countering Constitutional Crises within the African Union Framework: Legality, Legitimacy and Suitability Kwaku Agyeman-Budu Kwaku Agyeman-Budu 30–52
- 53–83 The Nexus between Constitutionalism, Peace and Security in the Law and Practice of the African Union Trésor Muhindo Makunya Trésor Muhindo Makunya 53–83
- 84–134 The African Union Use of Force to Uphold Democracy and Constitutionalism in Practice: How Far Have We Gone? Magdalena Sylister Magdalena Sylister 84–134
- 135–178 Taking Stock of African Union’s Sanctions against Unconstitutional Change of Government Serugo Jean Baptiste, Balingene Kahombo Serugo Jean Baptiste, Balingene Kahombo 135–178
- 179–216 African Union Support to Elections in Africa: Rethinking the Preventive Role Marystella Auma Simiyu Marystella Auma Simiyu 179–216
- 217–220 General Conclusion Balingene Kahombo Balingene Kahombo 217–220
- 221–221 Impressum 221–221
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RiA Recht in Afrika | Law in Africa | Droit en Afrique , page 53 - 83

The Nexus between Constitutionalism, Peace and Security in the Law and Practice of the African Union

Autoren

Trésor Muhindo Makunya

DOI
- doi.org/10.5771/2363-6270-2022-1-53
- ISSN: 1435-0963
- ISSN online: 2363-6270
Abstract

The African Union (AU), which succeeded the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) in 2002, is based on a strong legal and institutional framework that reinforces constitutionalism at national, regional and continental levels. This framework is a response to the failure of the OAU to tame autocratic tendencies within its member states. It cements the organisation’s commitment to infuse the ideals, values and norms of constitutionalism into the conduct of domestic affairs and politics. The relevance of the framework stems from its ability, when adhered to by all member states, to prevent constitutional crises, many of which have a negative impact on national, regional and continental peace and security and often hinder the prospect of constitutional democracy. Using examples of AU interventions to stymie constitutional crises in the form of unconstitutional changes of government in the Central African Republic, Burundi and Southern Sudan, this paper highlights the dialectical relationship between constitutionalism, peace and security, which can ensure that AU interventions reinforce, rather than undermine, constitutional ideals. While noting the AU’s inability or unwillingness to apply this framework in all the constitutional crises it has been called upon to address, the article concludes that member states and the AU itself need to commit to the ideals of constitutionalism, otherwise the transformative constitutional framework will remain a mere paper tiger.
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