What I will learn

  • The foundation of the United Nations and its Charter.
  • How the UN charter is relevant to peace keeping and conflict resolution?
  • The foundation of the African Union and its Charter.
  • How the African Union has shaped South Sudan?
  • The role of the United Nations (UN) and the African Union (AU).
  • The role of the charter of the United Nations and the African Union on conflict and peace resolution.

What I will do

  • Explore the relevance and impact of the AU and UN treaties, protocols and articles related to peace and conflict resolution.
  • Investigate and compare the aims and objectives of AU and UN in relation to peace and conflict resolution.

Introduction

Introduction to Charters for peace and conflict resolution

These are foundational documents that outline the principles, rules and commitments for establishing and maintaining peace either within a nation or between two nations.

The following are examples for charter for peace and conflict resolution;

The United Nations (UN)

The United Nations is an association of independent nations and countries.

It was formed immediately after the Second World War. Its main aim was to promote international peace and security. The UN came fully into its existence in 24th October, 1945.

Its membership is open to independent states. South Sudan became a member of the United Nations on 14th July, 2011.

Currently, the UN has a membership of 193 sovereign states with equal representation in the UN General Assembly.

Objectives of the United Nations
  • To promote and maintain international peace and security.
  • To develop friendly relationships and ties among members of the world.
  • To promote co-operation in handling international social, cultural and humanitarian problems.
  • To continue the diplomatic meetings that had begun during the wars.
  • To prevent the occurrence of another war similar to World War I and World War II.
  • Activity 7.1
  • Individual work

What do you understand by the term Charter for peace and conflict resolution? Give examples.

Identify the objectives of the UN in peace and conflict resolution

Organisation of United Nations

The United Nations is made up of six main organs as outlined in the structure below:

The organs of the UN

The General Assembly

Security council

The ointernational court of justice

The secretariat

The trusteeship council

The economic and social council

The General Assembly

It consists of representatives of all member states.

Activity 7.1

Activity 1.1

A sitting of the UN General Assembly.

The roles of the General Assembly include:

  • To discuss issues that relate to UN objectives except matters touching on the Security Council.
  • To approve the UN budget.
  • To admit new members and expel those who do not adhere to the rules.
  • To appoint individuals to work in the different UN agencies.
The Security Council

It is made up of five permanent members and ten members who are not permanent. The Security Council is a permanent organ that makes decisions at the UN.

It formulates and implements policies. The permanent members are

The permanent members are:

The Russian Federation

The United Kingdom

The United States of America

France

China

The Council’s main duty is to;

promote and maintain international peace and security.

It investigates disputes that may threaten peace and recommend possible course of action to be taken.

the Council can order sanctions against the offending state or deploy peacekeeping forces to the warring nations.

Troops of the peace-keeping mission of the UN in South Sudan.

  • Activity 7.2
  • Pair work

Q. What are the roles of the following organs of the United Nations?

A The General Assembly

B The Security Council

The Secretariat

This is the main administrative organ of the United Nations.

It is headed by the Secretary General who is elected by the General Assembly. The Secretary General serves a term of five years upon recommendations from the Security Council.

The Secretary General is elected from the non-permanent members of the United Nations.

One of the Africans to have held the seat of the Secretary General to the United Nations is Kofi Annan from Ghana.

The current Secretary General of the United Nations is António Guterres from Portugal.

The International Court of Justice

It is the judicial organ of the United Nations and its headquarters are in the Hague, Netherlands.

It is made up of fifteen judges each serving a nine-year term.

It is responsible on all legal issues and disputes which require to be dealt with at the UN. Its decisions are final.

The Court deals with international disputes such as:

  • Border conflicts.
  • Treatment of diplomatic staff.
  • Territorial waters.
The Economic and Social Council

It has twenty-seven (27) members elected by the General Assembly. The members serve a three-year term.

It deals with issues related to:

  • Economic development
  • Health issues
  • Education

These issues are dealt with through specialised agencies such as:

  • The United Nations Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF)
  • The World Health Organisation (WHO)
  • The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
  • Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO)
Trusteeship Council

It was established to monitor the political developments in territories that were dependent and advocated for decolonisation.

Dependent territories refer to former mandates of the League at the end of World War II.

Trusteeship Council suspended its operation in 1994 with the independence of Palay, the last remaining UN trust territory.

It however continues to exist on paper. It still has President and Vice President.

Achievements of the United Nations
  • The United Nations has encouraged the member countries to settle their disputes peacefully.
  • The UN has imposed sanctions on countries that threaten peace in the world.
  • Peace-making missions have been sent to areas with civil conflicts such as Somalia.
  • Through the International Court of Justice it has settled disputes between countries peacefully.
  • It has promoted social and economic development through its specialised agencies. For example, through the World Health Organisation, the UN has improved health standards of many African countries.
  • Activity 7.3
  • Role play

Q. What are the roles of UNMISS in peace keeping in South Sudan?

  • Q2. Discuss the achievements of the UN in peace and conflict resolution around the world?
The role of the United Nations in peace and conflict resolution

The United Nations Charter of 1945 articulated its commitment to uphold human rights of all citizens.

United Nations Charter deals with the peaceful settlement of

disputes. It requires that disputes that may lead to war be dealt with first through peaceful methods such as;

Negotiation

Mediation

  • Reconciliation

Enquiry

Arbitration

  • Judicial settlement

If these methods of peaceful resolution fail, they should be forwarded to the United Nations Security Council.

The Security Council also sends troops to conflicting zones so as to maintain peace, carry out humanitarian activities and enforce United Nations resolutions.

The United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), a specific agency of the United Nations has played a major role in peace making in South Sudan. It encouraged universal peace for human rights and international peace.

The main roles of UNESCO in South Sudan are:

  • Advocating for peace and non-violence through education and media.
  • Empowering and engaging young people, women and children through education.
  • Promoting scientific and cultural co-operation to manage the various resources in the country.

United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) is also

A peace-making agency of the United Nations.

This agency has offered home to millions of South Sudanese refugees who fled their homes due to conflict. The agency offers the following:

  • Humanitarian activities to refugees such as medical aid.
  • Prevents conflict through non-violent methods, which lead to peace.

The General Assembly of the United Nations has also passed key resolutions that have played a huge role in countries affected by war-related conflicts.

The African Union (AU)

Before the establishment of the African Union, there existed the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) that had been formed on 25th May, 1963.

When the OAU became fully operational, it had a membership of 32 independent African nations.

Its objectives were:

  • To provide a platform through which African problems would be discussed and the strategies of solving these problems.
  • To create African identity and counter the European belief of being superior.
  • To fasten the decolonisation of African countries under colonisers.
Achievements of OAU

The OAU made the following significant achievements:

  • It contributed in uniting countries in Africa despite the differences in economic, social and political setup.
  • African countries such as Angola, Zimbabwe and Namibia attained independence through its liberation committee.
  • It made it possible for Africans to speak as one in the international front such as the United Nations.
  • It provided a platform for discussing challenges facing Africa such as refugee problem, foreign interference and dependence.
  • The OAU played a huge role in the refugee problem by providing material assistance.
  • It helped in establishing economic organisations such as the African Development Bank. This has promoted infrastructural and economic development.
  • The OAU played a key role in the establishment of regional organisations such as Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA).
  • Activity 7.4
  • Group work
Activity 1.7 Group work

Q. Identify the objectives of the OAU?

Q. State the achievements of the OAU?

.

Foundation of the African Union (AU)

The African Union was formed in the year 2000 to replace the Organisation of African Unity. This is after it was noted that the structures of the OAU setup in 1963 were not up to the required levels of operation.

By 11th July 2000, 53 heads of state and government signed the African Union Charter which outlined the operations of the organisation.

South Sudan joined the AU on 27th July, 2011.

The headquarters of the AU is situated in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Activity 7.5

Group work

Q. Describe the foundation of the AU?

Q. Outline the objectives of the AU?

The AU Charter

The Africa Union Charter outlines the objectives of the Union as follows:

  • To defend the independence and territorial integrity of member states.
  • To promote unity and solidarity among countries and one people of Africa.
  • To ensure peace, stability and security in the continent.
  • To speed up socio-economic and political integration in the continent.
  • To encourage international co-operation by recognising the charter of the

United Nations and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

  • To promote good governance, popular participation and democracy.
  • Promote human rights in accordance with African Charter on human rights.
  • To work closely with international partners to deal with diseases that can be prevented and to provide good health in Africa.
  • To promote science and technology through research in all fields.
  • To promote co-operation in all human activities.
Principles of the African Union

These are the rules meant to assist the Union achieve its objectives. They include:

Peaceful co-existence of member states. Uphold the right to live in peace and stability.

There should be interdependence among member states of the African Union with emphasis on sovereign equality.

Respect of the existing borders on achievement of independence is also emphasised.

Active engagement and participation of the African people in the union’s activities is highly regarded. Formation of common defence framework for the continent.

There should be peaceful conflict resolution among member states through appropriate means as decided by the Assembly. Non-interference by any member state in the internal affairs of another.

The Union has a right to intervene if a member state has issues of war crimes, genocide and crimes against humanity.

Respect for human life, condemning terrorism and rejecting impunity. Promoting gender equality. Rejecting unconstitutional changes of governments.

Respect for the rule of law, human rights and good governance. The right of member states to request intervention from the union in order to restore peace and security.

8 Group work

Activity 7.6

Group work

Q. Describe the principles of African Union to achieve its objectives.

The structure/organs of the African Union

The African Union is made up of the organs as outlined below:

  • Assembly of the Union
  • Executive Council
  • The Pan-African Parliament
  • The Court of Justice
  • The Financial Institution
  • Economic, Social and Cultural Council
  • The Specialised Technical Committee
  • Permanent Representative Committee
  • The commission
The Assembly

The Assembly comprises of heads of state and the government.

It meets at least once a year to discuss important issues based on the agenda.

It has a chairperson who serves for a one-year period.

The Executive Council

It comprises of ministers for foreign affairs from each member state and i

t meets twice a year in ordinary sessions.

The Executive Council takes decisions and co-ordinates on policies in areas of common interest such as transport, science and technology, foreign trade and industry.

The Pan-African Parliament

It consists of elected representatives from member states of the union.

The Court of Justice

It deals with issues to do with interpretation coming up from the application or implementation of the Act of the Union.

The Commission

This acts as the secretariat of the Union.

It comprises of the chairperson, deputy chairperson and commissioners.

The Permanent Representative Committee

It comprises of representatives of the committee.

The Economic, Social and Cultural Council

This is an advisory organ of the union with social and professional groups of the member states of the union.

Financial institutions

They include:

  • The African Central Bank
  • African Investment Bank
  • The African Monetary Fund
The Specialised Technical Committees

These are specialised technical committees that are answerable to the Executive Council.

The Achievements of the African Union
  • The African Union has managed to reduce and settle conflicts within the region. For example, the post-election violence in Kenya in 2007.
  • It has helped in promoting peace through advocating for democracy. This has been fronted by its Peace and Security Council.
  • The AU has sent observers to countries that have elections to encourage democracy and good governance.
  • Through its financial institutions, it has played a huge role in developing growth across nations through offering loans.
  • The AU has played a huge role in humanitarian activities, especially in countries affected by conflict through offering aid, For example, the military troops in Somalia for peace keeping.

Activity 7.7

Group work

  • In groups, discuss the challenges facing the African Union.
  • Make a comparison and a contrast of the African Union (AU) and the United Nations (UN) in terms of structure and functions.

Challenges facing the AU

Lack of funds for its operations. It is dependent on external funding

Differences among its member states

Increased insecurity in member states

Ineffective institutions that support the Union

Lack of engagement with the civil society

Limited peace keeping force

The African Union Protocol in relation to establishment of peace and conflict resolution

The African Union Protocol is an agreement that was signed by 53 African countries on how to ensure that there is peace among and within the African states. This covenant was signed on 9th July, 2002 in Durban, South Africa.

The protocol contained regional mechanisms that were to be put in place to prevent, manage and resolve conflicts.

During the Durban Protocol, there was an establishment of

Peace and Security Council within the African Union.

The African stand-by force and a special fund were also established.

The objectives of the Peace and Security Council included:

  • Promotion of peace, security and stability in Africa so as to assure protection of lives and property.
  • To promote peace and sustainable development.
  • To anticipate and take measures of preventing conflicts.
  • In areas where conflicts have occurred, the Peace and Security Council is to ensure that the peace making and building initiatives to solve the conflicts are in place.
  • Promote democratic processes based on the rule of law, proper governance and respect for human life as mediums of controlling occurrence of conflicts.
  • Come up with a defence policy for the Union.
Principles of the African Union Peace and Security Council

These are guidelines that direct its operations. They include:

  • Peaceful settlement of disputes and conflicts.
  • Respect for member states and integrity of their territories.
  • Arelationshipofdependencebetweensecurityandsocio-economic development.
  • Quick and early response to emergency situations to prevent conflict from blowing out of proportion.
  • Respect of boundaries after inheriting them when a country achieves independence.
  • Respect for member state internal affairs.

The role of the Peace and Security Council

  • To promote peace, security and stability in the African Continent.
  • Provide early information on possibilities of conflict so as to have preventive diplomacy.
  • Using relevant peace making initiatives and conflict resolution mechanisms.
  • Providing disaster management and humanitarian action.
  • Peace intervention and support operation.

Activity 7.8

Group work

  • What are the objectives and the roles of peace and security council as one of the organisation within the AU?
The role of the African standby force of the African Union
  • To support peace keeping missions and operations in countries faced with wars.
  • To observe and monitor various peace keeping missions in order to prevent crimes against humanity.
  • To build peace after conflict resolution through disarmament.
  • To provide humanitarian assistance such as food to countries faced by civil wars.

NOTE: The African Union through its Peace and Security Council shall build peace through the following activities:

  • Bringing together the negotiated peace agreements.
  • Establishing foundations of social, political and economic reconstruction of societies.
  • Carrying out demobilisation and disarmament.
  • Assisting vulnerable people such as the elderly, women and children.
  • Resettling refugees and internally displaced people.
  • Facilitating activities of humanitarian groups
ACATIVITY.11 Group work
The Role of African Union in peace and conflict resolution in South Sudan

The African Union office was opened in Juba, South Sudan in 2008. This was as a result of the communication issued at the 89th meeting of the African Union Peace and Security Council held on 24th August, 2007.

Full support of the implementation of the comprehensive peace agreement with respect to South Sudan.

To promote peace between Sudan and South Sudan. This was meant to improve relations between the two countries.

It also has an objective to monitor the political and security situation in South Sudan.

They are also to assess the implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) and note the progress and challenges on economic and natural resources. They are also to support the working ties with African Union offices in Khartoum-Sudan with the target of promoting good relationship between South Sudan and Sudan.

Similarities in the role of United Nations (UN) and the African Union (AU) in peace and conflict resolution
  • Both recognise the need for peaceful co-existence of member states. They advocate for the right to a peaceful and secure continent.
  • Both condemn impunity through the respect for human life and fight against terrorism.
  • They provide a defence policy for the African continent as a way of maintaining peace.
  • Both advocate for respect of neighbor countries’ borders as a way of evading conflict.
  • They advocate for peaceful resolution of conflict among member states.
  • Both provide avenues for development of friendly, social and economic relations among countries.
  • They uphold the need to follow the rule of law and good governance as avenues of promoting peace.
  • They help in conflict resolution through sending personnel to help in humanitarian and military activities.

Activity 7.9

Group work

  1. Q. State the similarities of the roles of AU and the UN in peace and conflict resolutions?
Glossary
  • Sovereign– Being independent.
  • Formulate– To come up with something.
  • Sanctions– Measures that are meant to punish the offender for an offence done.
  • Deploy– To give a role to someone.
  • Specialise– To deal with a particular or specific issue, task or job.
  • Monitor– To follow the process or progress of something keenly.
  • Dependent– To rely on something or cannot do something on your own.
  • Decolonisation – The process of making a country independent.
  • Articulate– To make something properly known through clear argument.
  • Resolutions– These are agreements or covenants.
  • Platforms– These are grounds of discussing issues.
  • Charter– It refers to a plan or an order in which something will be done.
Last modified: Monday, 12 January 2026, 5:12 PM