This volume offers an informed and critical analysis of the operationalization and institutionalization of the peace and security architecture by the African Union and Africa's Regional Economic Communities (RECs). It examines the institutions that will carry the mandate forward, raises pertinent research questions for the successful operationalization of the architecture and debates the medium and long-term challenges to implementation.

Professor Ulf Engel, Institute of African Studies & Centre for Advanced Study, University of Leipzig, Germany and Dr J. Gomes Porto, University of Bradford, UK

Contents: Africa's new peace and security architecture: an introduction, Ulf Engel and João Gomes Porto; Regional security in a global perspective, Frederick Söderbaum and Björn Hettne; Heritage and transformation: from the Organization of African Unity to the African Union, Klaas van Walraven; The Peace and Security Council of the African Union: from design to reality, Kathryn Sturman and Aïssatou Hayatou; The panel of the wise, Tim Murithi and Charles Mwaura; The continental early warning system: methodology and approach, El-Ghassim Wane, Charles Mwaura, Shewit Hailu, Simon Kopfmueller, Doug Bond, Ulf Engel and João Gomes Porto; The African stand-by force, Jakkie Cilliers and Johann Pottgieter; The African peace and security architecture: an evolving security regime?, João Gomes Porto and Ulf Engel; Bibliography; Index.