Supranational Institutions and Peacebuilding in Africa

The importance of an effective supranational peace and security framework for the African continent cannot be underestimated. This book not only unpacks the problems of achieving this goal but, more importantly, offers nuanced suggestions for ensuring that regional institutions are well equipped to deal with Africa's hydra-headed security challenges. It is an important addition to the body of knowledge in this area. Babatunde Fagbayibo, Professor of Law, University of Pretoria, South Africa As African Regional Economic Communities (RECs) assume roles beyond their traditional economic integration mandates, we need to understand how they are managing these roles alongside the African Union (AU). Redie Bereketeab's book Supranational Institutions and Peacebuilding in Africa: The African Union and Regional Economic Communities is one of the first to provide an in-depth analysis of peacebuilding initiatives by five RECs. Apart from two chapters devoted to each of the RECs, the introductory chapters provide useful insights into the AU and peacebuilding in Africa. This is a vital contribution to understanding the debates on African regional institutions and peacbuilding. It should find a wide policy and academic audience. Gilbert M. Khadiagala, Jan Smuts Professor of International Relations and Director of the Centre for the Study of the United States (ACSUS) at the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa For so long, African statebuilding academic and policy debates have been in search for analytical and theoretical frameworks suited to the African Union (AU) and Regional Economic Communities (RECs). Redie Bereketeab and his colleagues endeavored to answer the pertinent question: what is the praxis or theory of practice guiding Africa’s supranational institutions in peace operations and stastebuilding? Dr. Abdalla Hamdok, former Deputy Executive Secretary for the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), and Sudan Prime Minister during (2019-2022). With Supranational Institutions and Peacebuilding in Africa, Redie Bereketeab and his collaborators have made an important contribution to the literature on international peacebuilding. The focus on the activities of the African Union and the Regional Economic Communities leads to an even-handed assessment of peacebuilding efforts in Africa, which is highly relevant both from an academic and a policy-making perspective. Wil Hout, Professor of Governance and International Political Economy, Erasmus University Rotterdam, The Netherlands