A Critical Analysis of the African Union’s Capacities and Capabilities to Prevent Mass Atrocities

The paper aims to represent the findings of the African Task Force (ATF) in critically examining the capacities and capabilities of the African Union in the prevention of mass atrocities. The African Union (AU) was selected for this study because of its existing peace and security mandate and architecture, and its regional influence in addressing and preventing future crises. This research contains a literature review, presenting and evaluating the research that has been carried out on prevention of mass atrocities; the conceptualization of the ATF project, along with its design and methodology; and an analysis of the state of play within the AU on these issues as seen through its approach to the case of Burundi will round out the discussion. The paper then brings some reflections on lessons learned and options for further improvement, to be adapted to the realities on the ground.