The African Security System: Between the Quest for Autonomy and the External Financial Dependence

In 2002 the African Union (AU) definitely succeeded to the Organisation of the African Unity (OAU). The new Pan-African organisation soon proceeded towards the institution of a regional security system, made up of several organs and mechanisms and enabled to deploy operative actions. Nowadays the full realisation of the African security system primarily relies on the availability of the necessary financial resources. It is well-known that the great majority of the African States is economically weak. Therefore, some international donors usually give financial assistance. As a result, the budgetary dependence from abroad is one of the main problems currently affecting the African security system. The quest for regional autonomy in peace maintenance, which the African States pursue, further stresses the said problem. This chapter is divided into two parts. The first part begins with a focus on the historical and political reasons that led to the establishment of the African security system. Then, it highlights the quest for autonomy emerging both from the legal frame and from the complex web of the organs and mechanisms of the regional security system. The second part of the chapter shows that the funding of the regional security system mainly depends on the international donors. The financial support above all comes from the EU, the UN, some NGOs, single non-African States and other private actors. The UN also carries out an important role in the deployment of the AU operative actions.