African Conflicts and the African Union Response: The Case of Sudan Since 2019
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Date
2026-05-01
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
This thesis examines the changing character of contemporary African conflicts and assesses the effectiveness of the African Union’s (AU) conflict-response mechanisms using Sudan since 2019 as a case study. Despite the establishment of the African Peace and Security Architecture (APSA) and the AU’s expanded role in conflict management, violent conflicts continue to persist across the continent. The study finds that the Sudan conflict reflects key features of contemporary African conflicts, including fragmented authority, militarized politics, external intervention, and conflict economies that sustain violence. While the AU possesses a comprehensive legal and institutional framework for conflict resolution, its response has been constrained by weak compliance, limited enforcement capacity, competing mediation initiatives, and external support to belligerents. The findings suggest that AU-led responses face growing challenges in addressing conflicts characterized by fragmented authority and extensive external involvement. The study argues that strengthening APSA requires reforms aimed at enhancing enforcement capacity, improving coordination among peace actors, and addressing the political and economic incentives that sustain conflict. Without such reforms, the effectiveness of AU-led responses to complex conflicts such as Sudan is likely to remain limited.
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The study finds that the Sudan conflict reflects key features of contemporary African conflicts, including fragmented authority, militarized politics, external intervention, and conflict economies that sustain violence.