An analysis of the African Union’s institutional and regional efforts in promoting democracy and good governance

The African Union (AU) is crucial in promoting good governance and the rule of law throughout Africa. However, some critics argue that the organisation lacks transparency and accountability. The African Governance Architecture (AGA), inspired by the Constitutive Act of the AU, outlines the AU’s commitment to protecting human rights, strengthening democratic institutions and culture and ensuring adherence to the rule of law. In May 2013 the AU celebrated two significant milestones: the fiftieth anniversary of the Organisation of African Unity and the tenth anniversary of the African Peer Review Mechanism. As a voluntary self-monitoring tool adopted by AU member states, the primary focus of the APRM is to improve good governance practices at all tiers of government. Additionally, the African Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption was established to combat corruption and uphold the rule of law. The African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance was also adopted to promote and protect democratic principles. These instruments enable the AU to promote good governance practices and ensure sustainable development throughout Africa. While great strides have been made in advancing good governance practices through constitutionalism, the unending conflicts and waves of coups d’état pose a threat to the sustainability of democratisation and good governance of African states. This chapter reflects on the AU’s institutional and regional efforts in promoting democracy and good governance from an African legal and political perspective. It brings into context the synergy of AU organs and instruments such as the AGA Platform – APRM. It assesses their progress in harmonising processes for democracy and good governance in a continent with a history of coups and resource mismanagement. The findings reveal existing gaps in the implementation of good governance frameworks in some African states. In this context, the chapter argues for the necessity to institute a renewed commitment to constitutional principles and the rule of law.