Regional approaches to conflict prevention in Africa European support to African processes
A number of African leaders are developing and promoting a dynamic new peace and security agenda through the African Union (AU), the New Economic Partnership for African Development (NEPAD) and African regional organisations. This has not gone unnoticed by the international community, which is in an increasingly receptive mood. First, in light of their commitments to the Millennium Development Goals, donors are eager to support promising African-led initiatives to reduce the high incidence of conflict on the continent, because they are keen to improve the impact of their development support on poverty reduction. Second, the US-declared 'war on terror' has sparked concern that Africa's conflicts could create fertile breeding grounds and 'supply routes' for terrorism. African and international attention is therefore focused on conflict on the continent as never before.
The European Union, for its part, has been building on various policy advances that it has made on conflict issues since 2000. In addition to participating actively in the debate, the EU has demonstrated its willingness to back African initiatives with financial resources.