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State of Africa – Parameters and Legacies of Governance 103 PART 2 Regional and Continental Reconstruction CHAPTER 7 African Renaissance, African Conflicts and the Regional Security Complex Ben Okolo Introduction The transformation of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) into the African Union (AU) brought fresh perspectives to the continental body’s approach to conÁict resolution. Whereas the OAU had a policy of ‘non-interference’ in the internal affairs of states, even where civilians were dying as a result of conÁicts or gross violations of human rights, the AU policy shift accepts intervention. The AU Constitutive Act (2000) in its article 4(h) recognises ‘the right of the Union to intervene in a member state pursuant to a decision of the Assembly in respect of grave circumstances, namely: war crimes, genocide and crimes against humanity’. This shift in approach to continental conÁicts has been hailed as a bold step. However, it is arguable whether the AU would be able to muster the much needed political will to translate the wordings of the Act into reality. The shift has equally been associated with the continental body’s resolve to advance the frequently touted ‘African solutions to African problems’ in a bid to discourage external actors from meddling in African conÁicts. The emergence of African initiatives can be traced to the call for an ‘African Renaissance’, championed by former president of South Africa, Thabo Mbeki. This is a call to Africans to wake up and take their destiny in their hands. This chapter argues that the emergence of the AU has changed the manner in which conÁict resolution, mediation and peacekeeping are approached by the continental body. It posits that although Africa seems to have taken a leading role in matters of peace and security in the continent, there are challenges that the continental body needs to address in order to effectively merge rhetoric with actions. The chapter is divided into Àve sections. Section one introduces the issues to be discussed. Section two gives an understanding of the concept of African Renaissance, noting that while Thabo Mbeki is easily linked with the concept in its current phase, other African philosophers and scholars had articulated the concept earlier. The third section interrogates the AU’s emerging security architecture. Using the conÁict in Darfur, Sudan, as its focus, it argues that although it is desirable that Africa should manage its affairs, there seems to be a disconnect between theory and practice, 104 Africa Institute of South Africa PART 2 Regional and Continental Reconstruction African Renaissance, African Conflicts and the Regional Security Complex as the continental body has not been able to mop up the different conÁicts in Africa without resorting to external partnership. It recognises, however, the importance of engaging with external partners, since the AU does not have the requisite capacity. Section four argues that the different defence pacts that individual African states maintain with their erstwhile colonial powers are not advancing the African Renaissance concept. In conclusion, the chapter posits that although African Renaissance and African solutions to African problems are ideologically right for the continent’s development, Africa must also seek genuine partnerships with the West and other regions of the world. Understanding the African Renaissance The concept of the ‘African Renaissance’ is not new. The African philosophers Edward Blyden, Casely Hayford, Isaka Seme, Cheikh Anta Diop and Nnamdi Azikiwe have been associated with calls for an African Renaissance. For instance , Azikiwe, the Àrst post-independence president of Nigeria, had in 1937, articulated the idea when he called on his generation of Africans and the youth to regenerate themselves and to seek spiritual balance.1 This call for a rebirth is not surprising, especially when viewed against the backdrop of Africa being the cradle of civilisation.2 However, it was Thabo Mbeki, former president of South Africa, who popularised the concept in its modern and current usage. Mbeki3 had given a seminal speech, ‘I am an African’, in which he challenged Africans to a rebirth in order to shake off what is often referred to as the ‘African curse’. Mbeki’s speech is traced to Isaka Seme’s 1962 speech on the ‘regeneration of Africa’.4 Mbeki’s vision of an African Renaissance covers everything that can lead to the improvement of African lives. This includes the rediscovery of self, liberation and democratic rule, poverty eradication, debt relief and independence .5 Notwithstanding the non-speciÀc mention of an African Renaissance in his...

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