Africa
Research Programme Regional Integration in Central Africa (including African Peace and Security Architecture)

Concept

The regional integration processes in Africa are strongly supported by the international community because of their security, economic and social development potentials. However there are significant discrepancies between sub-regions regarding their effective functioning and effectiveness. These processes are also important because they are the mirror of the current geopolitical stakes and dynamics. Central Africa and the Democratic Republic of Congo are at the crossroads of these dynamics. Several regional bodies and mechanisms of diverse nature have been set up to deal with the multidimensional challenges that the region is facing (CEMAC, ECCAS, ICGLR, Tripartite+, CEPGL, etc.)

Taking into account the complexity and the overlapping character of existing structures, regional integration and cooperation in the security domain deserve a particular attention. The African Union is currently developing its own security capabilities (notably through the AU PSC and the African Standby forces). Regional Economic Communities are also progressively assuming their responsibilities in the security field, including in Central Africa.

The aim of the research is to analyse the evolution of the regional integration processes in Central Africa with a focus on the security issues, on the role of the DRC in these structures as well as on the challenges ahead. The development of the ‘African Peace and Security Architecture’ is also taken into consideration.

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