The United Nations–African Union Partnership in Peace Operations: Evolution, Institutionalisation, and Contemporary Challenges (2005–2025)

Abstract

This article examines the evolution of the United Nations–African Union (UN–AU) partnership in peace operations from 2005 to 2025, carried out primarily by the UN Security Council and the AU Peace and Security Council. The article outlines a chronological evolution of some aspects of the partnership, particularly through highlighting the various frameworks and institutional mechanisms which emerged during the last two decades, such as the emergence of African states as a cohesive actor within the UN Security Council via the A3 mechanism, as well as the adoption of UN Security Council Resolution 2719. The article then discusses the evolution and trends in peace operations and uses three case studies as practical examples of partnership in peace operations. It further discusses some persistent challenges, such as financial constraints, unclear mandates, geopolitical rivalries, and legitimacy, as the main impediments to the partnership's effectiveness. Finally, this article offers some recommendations on how to improve the partnership, as well as concludes that the evolution of the partnership has gone beyond institutional formalities toward a more operational and implementing phase with the advent of Resolution 2719 and the influence of the A3 mechanism, leading to a genuine recognition of African agency within the global multilateral order.