Challenging Issues in the Horn of Africa (2016-2021): The Role of the African Union Commission in Conflict Resolution

This discussion paper reviews the African Union Commission peace and security achievements in 2020, and outlines the emerging issues in the Horn of Africa, The African Union Commission elected a new chairperson for the term 2021-2024 in February 2021 and the chairperson is expected to lead the continental secretariat towards achieving the 2021-2024 term plan in line with African Union Agenda 2063. In order to understand the achievements and emerging issues from the Horn of Africa during the period under study, data was collected using desk review and 3 key informant interviews (referred to as KII1, KII2 and KII3) from the Horn of Africa region, the African Union and Intergovernmental Authority on Development actors. Data analysis was done using themes. Amidst the first year of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Commission was instrumental in negotiating and requisitioning vaccines for the African Union member States. It has also continued to intervene in Somalia, South Sudan and Ethiopia to ensure peace and stability. However, the emerging issues such as border, and election-induced disputes, resource-based conflicts, upcoming volatile elections, and external actors in the Horn of Africa have slowed down Commission’s mandate. Based on data analysed, to achieve better results at the Horn of Africa, this paper recommends a strengthened political will among the leaders of the Horn of Africa and the empowering of the inter-governmental Authority to intervene in a humanitarian crisis with or without government intervention.