The Au And The Challenge Of Unconstitutional Changes Of Government In Africa

Divided into four sections, this paper seeks to examine three main issues with regard to unconstitutional changes of government (UCG) in Africa. The first issue and section looks at the definition of the concept or phenomenon of UCG, at least from the viewpoint of the AU, with a special emphasis on the phenomenon of 'military coup d'état'. The second section deals with the policy position of the AU with regard to this phenomenon. This entails not only looking at the position of the AU, but also analysing the rationale behind it. In other words, knowing that the position of the AU is to condemn this phenomenon, the task is to interrogate this position to determine what led to its adoption and how justified it is. The third section then tries to scrutinise this position and examine its adequacy. In so doing, the preventive and reactive effect of the policy is juxtaposed with more emphasis on the latter. The fourth section deals in more detail with the preventive role of the policy and, with shortcomings identifi ed in this regard, highlights two important issues to be considered to enhance the preventive impact of the policy.