How African Union is slackened by bureaucratic expediency

Africa is often seen as one community, shaped by history, especially one of enduring impacts of colonialism. That should inform the way we respond to political crises as a unit.

Yet that past also shaped its identity, imposed borders, and weakened indigenous governance. This should teach Africans to craft policies based on realities, not imposed structures.

Yet the foremost continental body, the African Union (AU) has lacked flexibility in governance to responding crises, presented itself as a rigid user of bureaucracy and constitutional norms that may not necessarily align with the socio-political complexities of individual nations.

With historical awareness into its policy decisions, the AU can strengthen its role as a unifying force, prioritising homegrown solutions that reflect the post-independence lived experiences of Africans.

Role of the AU in political action

The AU’s founding principles included in advocating for solidarity among its member states, identifying their common interests, and protecting their sovereignty. Africans accept the necessity of the AU to serve as a common platform for nations to collectively address political and security concerns.

While the guiding tenets of AU should be dialogue, solidarity, and reconciliation, the organisation’s effectiveness has been undermined by the recent bureaucratic rigidity and selective enforcement of some of its ‘rules’.

The African Peace and Security Council (PSC)—tasked with responding to political governance crises—has struggled to implement a coherent strategy when addressing military takeovers.

Rather than tackling the root causes of instability, the AU has defaulted to imposing blanket suspensions, effectively severing diplomatic engagement and diminishing its preponderance in shaping the transition process.

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The immediate enforcement of sanctions on the military regimes has, at times, proven counterproductive, failing to consider the overall situation especially the internal weaknesses present in the country that precipitate military actions. The challenge is not simply to denounce coups but to create pathways for democratic restoration.

At a time when Africa is facing serious threats to stability and security —from democratic backsliding to the proliferation of security crises, the collapse of the global order, and the rapid evolution of new technologies that are reshaping political governance, and economic competitiveness—the AU must start over and reassess its conflict response strategies.

A stronger and more adaptable AU—one that upholds its Constitutive Act while refining its existing political crisis strategy —will be key to preserving democratic governance and security across the continent.

Limits of bureaucratic formalism

The AU’s existing procedures to military takeovers are designed to be mechanical —particularly its reliance on sanctions and automatic suspension—has revealed the limitations of this policy. In the last five years, a series of coups has led to the suspension of six member states.

AU sanctions lack African humanism and solidarity, failing to restore constitutional order. Instead, suspensions heighten tensions and complicate transitions. Isolated states sought alternative alliances, strengthening ties with Russia, Gulf States, and Turkey, diminishing AU influence.

The AU’s inconsistent response to unconstitutional changes of power which suspends military regimes but tolerates term limit manipulations.

Security implications and the Sahel crisis

The AU’s attitude warrants reassessment, as suspending Sahel states—are essential in Africa’s fight against terrorism—which risks undermining security cooperation.

The AU should ensure security cooperation that persists by creating a platform for engaging suspended states on transnational security while pushing for reforms.

Further, the AU faces mounting structural challenges, with eroding trust in sub-regional blocs weakening its authority. The recently formed Alliance of Sahel States highlights a growing dissatisfaction with AU policies, a trend in other conflict zones in Africa.

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Its failure to implement swift, solution-driven security strategies has further undermined confidence in its effectiveness.

There is a need to re-engineer the AU into a highly responsive and adaptable regional organisation that responds to African crises in accordance with the principles outlined under the AU’s formative mantra, African solutions for African problems.

The AU has to learn to adapt and respond to imperfect circumstances and while in accordance with the principles of African humanism, including solidarity, inclusivity, and tolerance. Engaging with these emergent regimes could bring immediate results such as a more partial democratised societies that are amenable to AU norms and practices.

For the AU to navigate in today’s geopolitical situations while remaining relevant and influential, it must unshackle itself from the reactionary and procedural structures —such as the automatic suspension of military regimes—and to make tangible progress it requires a clear commitment to be more proactive and flexible in its strategic approach that prioritises political engagement over exclusion.

The consequences of continued rigid sanctions could severely undermine Africa’s collective capacity to confront security threats and governance failures effectively.

A defining moment for Africa

Should the AU continue to persist with this ineffective suspension policy or initiate a balanced approach that blends political accountability, African humanism, strategic engagement, and security cooperation.

The era for bureaucratic inaction is over; the time for strategic adaptation and political engagement is now.

The AU should recognise the lingering effects of colonialism, political fragmentation, and external interferences, and it can also support and promote a political governance that reflects Africa’s collective identity and aspirations.

In the meantime, the African Union should urgently consider to formulate structure for re-engaging the suspended states through dialogue. By promoting political dialogues, improvising solutions, the AU restore its credibility, re-orient its Pan-African vision.

Mr Abdisaid M. Ali is the Chairperson of Lomé Peace and Security Forum (LPSF), a space for open dialogue on the political, security and development challenges of the African continent. X: @4rukun