The United Nations Security Council and the Organisation of African Unity: Conflict or Collaboration?

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Periodical article

Title:	The United Nations Security Council and the Organisation of African Unity: Conflict or Collaboration?
Author:	Mulikita, Njunga-Michael
Year:	2002
Periodical:	African Security Review
Volume:	11
Issue:	1
Pages:	27-39
Language:	English
Geographic term:	Africa
Subjects:	UN Security Council OAU international relations
External link:	https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/10246029.2002.9627778
Abstract:	The United Nations relies on regional organizations to carry out peacekeeping activities and has very good reasons for doing so: resource constraints and relevant political influence. In Africa, however, the UN Security Council seems unwilling to take decisive action when faced with complex emergencies and leaves the burden to the OAU which has its own problems. The UN charter does allow regional organizations to take enforcement action even without prior armed attack. The OAU charter converges with that of the UN in ways that should make cooperation easier than it has been. Despite the rhetoric, the UN Security Council has undertaken very little visible action in Africa when it was most needed. A lack of significant African representation in the Council is perhaps a cause. The Council will improve its global authority if it undertakes reforms that reduce the power of the US and the UK over its decisions. Notes, ref., sum. [Journal abstract]