THE ROLE OF AFRICAN UNION IN RESOLUTION OF THE SUDAN CRISIS, 2010-2022.

Abstract

The incidence of violent conflict and insecurity in Africa is evident and apparent. Armed conflicts have become a regular realism in Africa for so long and the continent is predominantly conflict-prone and has also accommodated more than one-third of international armed conflicts in the last few years. The study is an evaluation of the role of the African Union in resolving the Darfur crisis in Sudan. The study made use of both primary and secondary sources of data, exploring various literature on the issue from scholars. The Regional Security Complex theory of international relations was adopted and argued that African Union intervened in the Darfur crisis because the nature of the crisis demanded international collaboration and support which the Sudanese Government did not have the capacity to manage the crisis. It was revealed that the Darfur crisis which lasted between 2004 and 2011 and even up until this moment ensued as the result of political subjugation, economic exploitation and underdevelopment of the Darfur region of Sudan. The People Southern Sudanese considered these trends as injustice and as such, they violently revolted against the Sudanese Government with the agitation for independence (which is now granted). The wanton destructive nature of the crisis necessitated the intervention of the international community. The study revealed that African Union was the first body to intervene in the crisis through mediation and sending of troops in July 2004 before the United Nations took over the mission on 31st December 2007. The study showed that even after United Nations took over the peacekeeping operation, African Union still made significant contributions in terms of troops, finance, and humanitarian services. The study recommends that, Peace and Security Council 11