African Union peacekeeping grows as UN missions decline

A scoping review of 186 peer-reviewed articles published between 2000 and 2026 indicates that the African Union (AU) has become a primary peace and security actor in Africa as United Nations missions decline.

AU and regional organizations have deployed peace operations, mediated conflicts, monitored elections, and supported political transitions in nations including Burundi, Sudan, Somalia, Mali, and the Central African Republic. The research suggests that AU interventions are complex; they are neither absolute successes nor simple cases of external dependence. Instead, they represent a shift where African actors increasingly shape conflict responses while collaborating with international partners.

The study examined four major themes: AU approaches to intervention, the legitimacy of these actions among local populations, the effectiveness of achieving long-term security, and the level of institutional and local ownership.