Leadership from influential countries can drive reform and progress in Africa and at the African Union.
Should Africa’s lead nations — countries with economic and political clout — more actively pursue good governance, peace and stability on the continent? Debates about the big states’ responsibility in the African Union aren’t new and remain unresolved.
But to date, only Nigeria has kept its lead nation status on the PSC. After North Africa’s recent request for another PSC seat , questions about the council’s composition have re-emerged and should be tackled at this month’s AU summit. Three-year members were also meant to participate in conflict resolution, peacebuilding and regional peacemaking. They should be able to shoulder the responsibility of PSC membership, including having adequately staffed embassies in Addis Ababa and New York. And they must be fully paid AU members and contribute to the AU Peace Fund.As has been the case with other founding ideals of the AU, this model has not been comprehensively implemented due to some member states’ reluctance to drive change.
States are divided over whether North Africa should have another seat — with an additional rotating seat added to ensure uneven numbers — or whether West Africa should give one of its four seats to the northern bloc. At issue is whether another seat would boost the region’s most capable state or allow another lead country to take up the mantle. Aon the issue is due to be discussed by the AU’s Executive Council of foreign ministers ahead of the February AU summit.
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