Topic: African Union

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5 reasons why Africa is not ready to meet its own security needs – yet

Africa’s experiment in a regional approach to security is serious and laudable, but it will take time to build credible capacity. Here are five reasons why Africa is not ready to meet its own security needs – yet.
Somalia: A timeline of change in a troubled country

Here is a timeline of changes, intervention, and mediation in 5 bite-sized bits.
3 questions US forces must answer before declaring victory in Libya
Four reasons help is slow to reach Somalia’s famine victims
Uganda election: Four reasons donor nations won't turn their backs on President Museveni

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Ivory Coast's conflict and Rwanda's genocide: Key differences

Ivory Coast bears some similarities to Rwanda in 1994, but there are a number of factors that make it unlikely Ivory Coast's conflict will develop into a genocide like Rwanda's.
How AU's boycott of London Libya meeting may hurt Africa's interests

The African Union may be frustrated that the Western powers didn't give their Libya mediation efforts a chance, but analysts say the AU's refusal to join today's international meeting in London limits Africa's influence.
In London talks, world leaders to clarify roles in Libya

British Foreign Secretary William Hague said that one of the goals of the London meeting is to begin planning for a post-Qaddafi political future in Libya.
Invoking Libya, African leaders call for more UN action in Ivory Coast

West African leaders called on the UN to take "all necessary action" to protect Ivorian civilians caught in a political standoff that has turned violent, but some others insist on an "African solution."
US gets its wish: NATO to assume control of Libya no-fly zone

NATO's agreement to take over no-fly operations in Libya fulfills Obama's promise that US involvement would be limited. Alliance members authorize a 'civilian protection mission.'
Obama vows a lesser US role in Libya, but new plan yet to be sealed

The Obama administration has hammered out a plan that puts NATO in the driver’s seat and gives a broader range of countries, including some Arab states, ‘political leadership’ of the Libya mission.
Who's rethinking support for Libya's no-fly zone – and why

After a few days of Western airstrikes on Libya, initial international support is beginning to fall apart as disputes arise about what levels of military action are authorized by Thursday's UN resolution.
Opinion: Why did Congress cut funds for peace in a time of war?

The House of Representatives voted recently to eliminate all funding for the US Institute of Peace, which plays a vital role in mediating international conflicts that no other group can. So what's behind this jaw-dropping, backward step?
Ivory Coast's 'Invisible Commandos' attack renegade president's strongholds

In the latest sign of impending civil war in Ivory Coast, fighters loyal to President-elect Alassane Ouattara are moving out of their strongholds to attack those of renegade President Laurent Gbagbo.
EU leaders call on Qaddafi to step down immediately

At a meeting today in Brussels, the EU issued an unexpectedly strong statement supporting Libyan rebels but said it wanted a UN mandate and Arab involvement before considering military action.
African Union backs Ouattara as president in Ivory Coast

After months of indecision, the African Union has formally backed opposition candidate Ouattara as Ivory Coast president. Ouattara now has to figure out how to take over a government that the former president refuses to give up.
Just what did South Africa's Zuma tell Qaddafi in a phone call?

Conflicting reports about what South African President Jacob Zuma said to Libyan leader Muammar Qaddafi highlight South Africa's comparatively docile response to Qaddafi's violence against rebels.
West Africa Rising: Regional ties to Iran, Libya may be on the wane

Since the unrest that has swept the Arab world began in January, many of West Africa's leader nations have been distancing themselves from the crumbling regimes to their north.
As Ivory Coast fighting escalates, window for talks narrows

An African Union panel is to meet Wednesday about Ivory Coast's crisis. Supporters of President-elect Alassane Ouattara and former President Laurent Gbagbo are clashing, and pro-Ouattara forces have taken control of several towns along the Liberian border.
As Libya's conflict deepens, nations weigh long-term options

After another day of clashes between Qaddafi forces and antigovernment rebels, the UN called for an end to the progovernment troops’ “indiscriminate” violence.
Mistaken for mercenaries, Africans are trapped in Libya

African workers left behind as international companies evacuate and African embassies close are trapped in a Benghazi camp, too afraid to take the trek to Egypt's border.
In Ivory Coast, Gbagbo cranks propaganda machine into full gear

Ivory Coast state television has lost what little subtlety it once had and transformed into the communications arm of Laurent Gbagbo's desperate government.
Nations weigh imposing no-fly zone on Libya

The Arab League expressed support for a no-fly zone to prevent Qaddafi's forces from carrying out air strikes in Libya, while other countries debated the military action.
The Monitor's View: No fly zone over Libya? Obama must take a stand soon.

The US is weighing a no-fly zone in Libya that might prevent Qaddafi from more attacks on rebel forces. Obama must weigh key lessons from history before acting.
Ivory Coast violence escalates as mediation efforts stall

A resurgence of violence in Ivory Coast this weekend put a hold on African Union mediation efforts, but African leaders continue to resist international efforts to intervene further.
Libya: US closes embassy in Tripoli, sanctions loom

Libya death toll could be in the thousands. The international community is responding in several ways, including at a meeting Friday of the UN Human Rights Council, which set up a commission of inquiry into the violence.
Interview: Kofi Annan says Ivory Coast mediators could draw on Kenya's example

Former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, who led Kenya's post-election mediation, says lessons learned in 2008 could help resolve the current Ivory Coast standoff.
Qaddafi forces attack mosque sheltering Libyan protesters

Libyan leader Muammar Qaddafi is almost entirely isolated from the international community now, as EU leaders call for sanctions and the African Union condemns his actions.
Qaddafi vows to stay or die as 'a martyr'; world weighs limited options

Diplomats gathered in the UN Security Council Tuesday to consider events in Libya. But the international community is likely to think twice before pushing the martyr-talking Qaddafi to the brink.
Why the African Union may struggle to mediate in Ivory Coast

Four representatives of the African Union arrived in Ivory Coast today for yet another attempt at mediating the country's presidential election crisis.