African Union

== Current issues ==
The AU faces many challenges, including health issues such as combating [[malaria]] and the [[AIDS/HIV]] epidemic; political issues such as confronting undemocratic regimes and mediating in the many civil wars; economic issues such as improving the [[Human Development Index|standard of living]] of millions of impoverished, uneducated Africans; ecological issues such as dealing with recurring famines, [[desertification]], and lack of ecological [[sustainability]]; as well as the [[international law|legal]] [[Legal status of Western Sahara|issues regarding Western Sahara]].

===Health===
==== AIDS in Africa ====
[[File:HIV in Africa 2011.svg|thumb|260px|Prevalence of HIV/AIDS in Africa, total (% of population ages 15–49), in 2011 ([[World Bank]])
{| style="width:100%;"
|-
| valign=top |
{{legend|#2b0000|over 15%}}
{{legend|#800000|5–15%}}
{{legend|#d40000|2–5%}}
{{legend|#ff2a2a|1–2%}}
{{legend|#ff9955|0.5–1%}}
{{legend|#ffb380|0.1–0.5%}}
{{legend|#b9b9b9|not available}}
|}]]

The AU has been active in addressing the AIDS pandemic in Africa. In 2001, the AU established AIDS Watch Africa to coordinate and mobilise a continent-wide response.<ref>{{cite book |title=AIDS Watch Africa: An instrument for promoting AIDS responses in Africa |date=July 2004 |publisher=Discussion Paper presented by HE President Olusegun Obasanjo to Heads of State of the African Union |url=http://data.unaids.org/una-docs/awa_brochure_en.pdf |access-date=6 August 2017 |archive-date=6 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170806221850/http://data.unaids.org/una-docs/awa_brochure_en.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Sub-Saharan Africa]], especially southern and eastern Africa, is the most affected area in the world. Though this region is home to only 6.2% of the world's population, it is also home to half of the world's population infected with HIV.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.unaids.org/sites/default/files/media_asset/2016-prevention-gap-report_en.pdf|title=Prevention gap report|access-date=2 May 2021|date=11 July 2016|publisher=[[Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS]]|archive-date=29 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210429025538/https://www.unaids.org/sites/default/files/media_asset/2016-prevention-gap-report_en.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> While the measurement of HIV prevalence rates has proved methodologically challenging, more than 20% of the sexually active population of many countries of southern Africa may be infected, with South Africa, Botswana, [[Kenya]], Namibia, and [[Zimbabwe]] all expected to have a decrease in [[life expectancy]] by an average of 6.5 years. The pandemic has had massive implications for the economy of the continent, reducing economic growth rates by 2–4% across Africa.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Dixon |first1=Simon |last2=McDonald |first2=Scott |last3=Roberts |first3=Jennifer |date=2002 |title=The Impact of HIV And AIDS on Africa's Economic Development |jstor=25227281 |journal=BMJ: British Medical Journal |volume=324 |issue=7331 |pages=232–234|doi=10.1136/bmj.324.7331.232 |pmid=11809650 |pmc=1122139 }}</ref>

In July 2007, the AU endorsed two new initiatives to combat the AIDS crisis, including a push to recruit, train and integrate two million community health workers into the continent's healthcare systems.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Barton-Knott |first1=Sophie |title=African Union endorses major new initiatives to end AIDS |url=http://www.unaids.org/en/resources/presscentre/pressreleaseandstatementarchive/2017/july/20170704_africanunion |access-date=6 August 2017 |agency=UNAIDS |date=3 July 2017 |archive-date=6 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170806221323/http://www.unaids.org/en/resources/presscentre/pressreleaseandstatementarchive/2017/july/20170704_africanunion |url-status=live }}</ref>

In January 2012, the African Union Assembly requested that the African Union Commission would work out "a roadmap of shared responsibility to draw on African efforts for a viable health funding with support of traditional and emerging partners to address AIDS dependency response." Once created, the roadmap (as it is officially known) provided a group of solutions that would enhance the shared responsibility and global solidarity for [[HIV/AIDS|AIDS]], [[Tuberculosis|TB]], and [[Malaria]] responses in Africa by 2015. The roadmap was organised into three pillars: diversified financing, access to medicines, and enhanced health governance. The roadmap held stakeholders accountable for the realisation of these solutions between 2012 and 2015.

The first pillar, diversified financing, ensures that countries begin to develop a country specific financial sustainability plans with clear targets, and identify and maximise opportunities to diversify funding sources in order to increase the domestic resource allocation to AIDS and other diseases.

The second pillar, access to affordable and quality-assured medicines, tries to promote and facilitate investing in leading medicine hub manufacturers in Africa, accelerate and strengthen medicine regulatory harmonisation, and create legislation that would help to protect the knowledge of the researchers who develop these life-saving medicines.

The third pillar, enhanced leadership and governance, tries to invest in programs that support people and communities to prevent HIV and ensure that leadership at all levels is mobilised to implement the roadmap. There are several organisations that will ensure the smooth implementation of the roadmap, including [[New Partnership for Africa's Development|NEPAD]], [[Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS|UNAIDS]], [[World Health Organization|WHO]], and several other UN partners.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Buse |first=Kent |date=January 2012 |title=Zeroing in on AIDS and Global Health Post-2015 |journal=Globalization and Health |volume=8 |pages=42–44 |doi=10.1186/1744-8603-8-42 |pmid=23199137 |pmc=3528638 |doi-access=free }}</ref>

==== COVID-19 pandemic ====
By February 2021, the [[COVID-19 pandemic in Africa]] had resulted in 3.6 million confirmed cases and 89,000 related deaths, and only 25% of African countries had adequate plans for vaccination, according to the [[Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention]] (Africa CDC).<ref name="2021_priorities">{{cite news |last1=Mohamed |first1=Hamza |title=From COVID to conflict, five priorities for African Union summit |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/2/5/au-summit-what-are-key-issues-the-leaders-should-focus-on |access-date=February 5, 2021 |work=aljazeera.com |publisher=Al Jazeera English |date=February 5, 2021 |language=en |archive-date=5 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210205193831/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/2/5/au-summit-what-are-key-issues-the-leaders-should-focus-on |url-status=live }}</ref> The pandemic has also devastated economies around the world, including in Africa.

=== Corruption ===
Daniel Batidam, an anti-corruption advisory board member of the African Union, resigned after stating that the organisation had "multiple irregularities" and that "issues have come up over and over again" regarding corruption. The African Union quickly accepted his resignation, with Batidam saying that it was a sign that mismanagement towards corruption will "continue with business as usual".<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://en.rfi.fr/africa/20180616-official-quits-au-anti-corruption-body-over-multiple-irregularities-african-union |title=Official quits AU anti-corruption body over 'multiple irregularities' |date=2018-06-23 |website=[[Radio France Internationale]] |language=en-GB |access-date=2019-01-31 |archive-date=1 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190201013519/http://en.rfi.fr/africa/20180616-official-quits-au-anti-corruption-body-over-multiple-irregularities-african-union |url-status=live }}</ref>

In a story published on 12 March 2020, AU staff alleged that Commission chairman Moussa Faki Mahamat was guilty of corruption and cronyism, as well as running of a "mafia-style cartel" that operates with impunity.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://mg.co.za/article/2020-03-12-exclusive-a-mafia-style-cartel-is-running-the-african-union-claim-staff/|title=Exclusive: A 'mafia-style' cartel is running the African Union, claim staff|date=12 March 2020|access-date=15 March 2020|archive-date=20 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200920100318/https://mg.co.za/article/2020-03-12-exclusive-a-mafia-style-cartel-is-running-the-african-union-claim-staff/|url-status=live}}</ref> The allegations were contained in a memo leaked to the South African ''[[Mail & Guardian]]''. This followed [[sexual harassment]] allegations raised in late 2018.

=== Libya ===
In 2011, when the conflict in Libya began, the African Union was initially criticised for doing little to prevent the conflict's escalation. Additionally, the AU hesitated to take a side.  It was unclear whether the AU supported the Libyan regime or the rebels. This occurred as several human right violations were perpetrated against members of the Libyan regime. It was later realised that the AU's hesitation was due to its lack of capacity and its inability to engage in democratic reform.<ref name=":2">{{Cite journal |last=Hove |first=Mediel |date=May 2017 |title=Post-Gaddafi Libya and the African Union: Challenges and the Road to Sustainable Peace. |journal=Journal of Asian & African Studies |volume=52 |issue=3 |pages=271–286 |doi=10.1177/0021909615583366 |s2cid=147689749 }}</ref>

The AU attempted to mediate in the early stages of the [[2011 Libyan civil war]], forming an ''ad hoc'' committee of five presidents ([[Republic of the Congo|Congolese]] President [[Denis Sassou Nguesso]], [[Mali]]an President [[Amadou Toumani Touré]], [[Mauritania]]n President [[Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz]], [[South Africa]]n President [[Jacob Zuma]], and [[Uganda]]n President [[Yoweri Museveni]]) to broker a truce.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?sec=nation&file=/2011/3/21/nation/8313696 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110321192206/http://www.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=%2F2011%2F3%2F21%2Fnation%2F8313696&sec=nation |url-status=dead |archive-date=21 March 2011 |work=The Star |title=African Union urges restraint on both sides |date=21 March 2011 |access-date=5 July 2011}}</ref> However, the beginning of the [[NATO]]-led [[2011 military intervention in Libya|military intervention]] in March 2011 prevented the committee from traveling to [[Great Socialist People's Libyan Arab Jamahiriya|Libya]] to meet with Libyan leader [[Muammar Gaddafi]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1129850/-/c3uoa3z/-/ |work=[[Daily Monitor]] |title=Kutesa, AU blocked from entering Libya |date=21 March 2011 |access-date=21 March 2011 |first=Emmanuel |last=Mulondo |archive-date=24 March 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110324202855/http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1129850/-/c3uoa3z/- |url-status=live }}</ref> As a body, the AU sharply dissented from the [[United Nations Security Council]]'s decision to create a [[no-fly zone]] over Libya,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sudantribune.com/NAfrican-Union-demands-end-to,38339 |title=African Union demands end to military strikes on Libya, skips Paris meeting |website=Sudan Tribune |date=19 March 2011 |access-date=21 March 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110321212338/http://www.sudantribune.com/NAfrican-Union-demands-end-to%2C38339 |archive-date=21 March 2011 |url-status=dead}}</ref> though a few member states, such as [[Botswana]],<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.mmegi.bw/index.php?sid=1&aid=1909&dir=2011/March/Wednesday23 |date=23 March 2011 |access-date=5 April 2011 |title=Khama supports no-fly zone on Libya |work=Mmegi |first=Baboki |last=Kayawe |archive-date=25 November 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111125203025/http://mmegi.bw/index.php?sid=1&aid=1909&dir=2011%2FMarch%2FWednesday23 |url-status=dead }}</ref> [[Gabon]],<ref>{{cite news |url=http://english.aljazeera.net/news/africa/2011/03/201131720311168561.html |publisher=Al Jazeera |date=18 March 2011 |access-date=18 March 2011 |title=UN authorises no-fly zone over Libya |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110318102654/http://english.aljazeera.net/news/africa/2011/03/201131720311168561.html |archive-date=18 March 2011 |url-status=live}}</ref> [[Zambia]],<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.postzambia.com/post-read_article.php?articleId=19332 |work=The Post |date=27 March 2011 |access-date=5 April 2011 |title=Rupiah backs action against Libya |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120911072915/http://www.postzambia.com/post-read_article.php?articleId=19332 |archive-date=11 September 2012}}</ref> and others expressed support for [[United Nations Security Council Resolution 1973|the resolution]].

As a result of Gaddafi's defeat at the [[2011 Battle of Tripoli|Battle of Tripoli]] (the war's deciding battle), in August 2011, the [[Arab League]] voted to recognise the anti-Gaddafi [[National Transitional Council]] as the legitimate government of the country, pending elections.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.rttnews.com/Content/GeneralNews.aspx?Id=1700187&SM=1 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120604155833/http://www.rttnews.com/Content/GeneralNews.aspx?Id=1700187&SM=1 |url-status=dead |archive-date=4 June 2012 |agency=RTTNews |date=25 August 2011 |access-date=25 August 2011 |title=Arab League Recognizes Libyan Rebel Council}}</ref> The council has been recognised by several AU member states, including two [[Arab League]] members.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.seattlepi.com/news/article/Tunis-recognizes-Libyan-rebels-as-country-s-rep-2134144.php |work=Seattle Post-Intelligencer |title=Tunis recognizes Libyan rebels as country's rep |date=20 August 2011 |access-date=20 August 2011 |archive-date=8 December 2011 |archive-url=http://web.archive.bibalex.org/web/20111208121407/http://www.seattlepi.com/news/article/Tunis-recognizes-Libyan-rebels-as-country-s-rep-2134144.php |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Egypt recognises Libya rebel government |url=http://www.thenewage.co.za/26532-1019-53-Egypt_recognises_Libya_rebel_government |access-date=22 August 2011 |newspaper=[[The New Age (South African newspaper)|The New Age]] |location=South Africa |date=22 August 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120308203558/http://www.thenewage.co.za/26532-1019-53-Egypt_recognises_Libya_rebel_government |archive-date=8 March 2012}}</ref> However, the AU [[Peace and Security Council]] voted on 26 August 2011 not to recognise it, insisting on a ceasefire and on the formation of a national [[unity government]] by both sides.<ref>{{cite news |first=Barry |last=Malone |url=http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Middle-East/2011/Aug-26/AU-wont-recognise-Libyan-rebel-council-diplomats.ashx#axzz1W9KDcooQ |work=The Daily Star |date=26 August 2011 |access-date=26 August 2011 |title=AU won't recognise Libyan rebel council: diplomats |archive-date=28 August 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110828030422/http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Middle-East/2011/Aug-26/AU-wont-recognise-Libyan-rebel-council-diplomats.ashx#axzz1W9KDcooQ |url-status=live }}</ref> A number of AU member states led by [[Ethiopia]], [[Nigeria]], and [[Rwanda]] requested that the AU recognise the [[National Transitional Council|NTC]] as Libya's interim governing authority,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.nowlebanon.com/NewsArticleDetails.aspx?ID=304812 |agency=NOW Lebanon |date=24 August 2011 |access-date=24 August 2011 |title=Ethiopia recognizes Libyan rebels|archive-url=https://wayback.archive-it.org/all/20171012094641/https://now.mmedia.me/lb/en/archive/ethiopia_recognizes_libyan_rebels|archive-date=12 October 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |agency=Afrique en ligne |url=http://www.afriquejet.com/libya-ntc-national-transitional-council-in-libya-2011082721212.html |date=27 August 2011 |access-date=27 August 2011 |title=Libya-NTC: National Transitional Council in Libya |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120117145429/http://www.afriquejet.com/libya-ntc-national-transitional-council-in-libya-2011082721212.html |archive-date=17 January 2012}}</ref> and several other AU member states have recognised the [[National Transitional Council|NTC]] regardless of the Peace and Security Council's decision.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://blogs.aljazeera.net/liveblog/libya-aug-24-2011-2025/ |title=Chad recognises rebel council as only legitimate authority in neighbouring Libya |date=24 August 2011 |publisher=Al Jazeera |access-date=24 August 2011 |archive-date=24 August 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110824202426/http://blogs.aljazeera.net/liveblog/libya-aug-24-2011-2025 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=27 August 2011 |access-date=27 August 2011 |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-libya-rebels-recognition-idUSTRE77Q1ME20110827 |title=Benin recognize Libyan rebels |work=[[Reuters]] |archive-date=26 July 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120726144805/http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/08/27/us-libya-rebels-recognition-idUSTRE77Q1ME20110827 |url-status=live }}</ref> However, AU member states [[Algeria]]<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.nowlebanon.com/NewsArticleDetails.aspx?ID=305666 |agency=NOW Lebanon |date=26 August 2011 |access-date=26 August 2011 |title=Algeria declines to recognize Libyan rebels|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120604155753/http://www.nowlebanon.com/NewsArticleDetails.aspx?ID=305666|archive-date=4 June 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> and [[Zimbabwe]]<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.thezimbabwean.co.uk/news/africa/52122/libyan-envoy-to-zimbabwe-expelled.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110826131311/http://www.thezimbabwean.co.uk/news/africa/52122/libyan-envoy-to-zimbabwe-expelled.html|url-status=dead |archive-date=26 August 2011 |work=The Zimbabwean |title=Libyan envoy to Zimbabwe expelled for burning flag |date=26 August 2011 |access-date=26 August 2011}}</ref> have indicated they will not recognise the [[National Transitional Council|NTC]], and [[South Africa]] has expressed reservations as well.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://mg.co.za/article/2011-08-26-libya-how-sa-stood-firm-on-money-for-rebels/ |agency=Mail & Globe Online |date=26 August 2011 |access-date=27 August 2011 |title=Libya: How SA stood firm on money for rebels |archive-date=8 September 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110908051747/http://mg.co.za/article/2011-08-26-libya-how-sa-stood-firm-on-money-for-rebels |url-status=live }}</ref>

On 20 September 2011, the African Union officially recognised the [[National Transitional Council]] as the legitimate representative of [[Libya]].<ref>{{cite news |title=African Union officially recognises Libya's new leadership |url=https://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5h2NflCTWlrw96Cs-Ts7A7Xcem2dA?docId=CNG.a8a1185f4a08d2928999ea8643dc5bd9.501|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20111120184724/http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5h2NflCTWlrw96Cs-Ts7A7Xcem2dA?docId=CNG.a8a1185f4a08d2928999ea8643dc5bd9.501|url-status= dead |archive-date=20 November 2011}}</ref>

In post-Gaddafi Libya, the African Union believes it still has an important responsibility to the country despite its failure to contribute to the conflict when it originated. Although the African Union is there to keep peace, it is not a long-term solution. The goal, as stated by the AU, is to establish a Libyan government that is sustainable to ensuring peace in Libya. To achieve some level of peace in Libya, the AU has to moderate peace talks which are aimed at achieving compromises and power sharing accommodations as well.<ref name=":2" />

=== Military ===
{{See also|List of African Union military interventions}}
The African Union has the power to militarily intervene on behalf of its member states as laid out in Article 4(h) of the [[Constitutive Act of the African Union]], "in respect of grave circumstances, namely: war crimes, genocide and crimes against humanity."<ref>"Constitutive Act of the African Union," opened for signature 11 July 2000. Organisation for African Unity. https://au.int/sites/default/files/pages/34873-file-constitutiveact_en.pdf {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200415235637/https://au.int/sites/default/files/pages/34873-file-constitutiveact_en.pdf |date=15 April 2020 }}.</ref>

==== Togo ====
In response to the death of [[Gnassingbé Eyadéma]], President of [[Togo]], on 5 February 2005, AU leaders described the appointment of his son, [[Faure Gnassingbé]], to the presidency to have been a [[Coup d'état|military coup]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/4240485.stm |title=AU denounces Togo 'military coup' |work=BBC News |date=6 February 2005 |access-date=10 July 2006 |archive-date=15 January 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090115094219/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/4240485.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> Togo's constitution calls for the speaker of parliament to succeed the president in the event of his death. By law, the parliament speaker must call national elections to choose a new president within sixty days. The AU's protest forced Gnassingbé to hold elections. Under heavy allegations of election fraud, he was officially elected president on 4 May 2005.

==== Mauritania ====
On 3 August 2005, a coup in [[Mauritania]] led the African Union to suspend the country from all organisational activities. The Military Council that took control of Mauritania promised to hold elections within two years.{{Citation needed|date=July 2011}}<ref>{{Cite journal|last=N'Diaye|first=Boubacar|date=2009|title=To 'Midwife' - and Abort - a Democracy: Mauritania's Transition from Military Rule, 2005-2008|url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/30224926|journal=The Journal of Modern African Studies|volume=47|issue=1|pages=129–152|doi=10.1017/S0022278X08003765|jstor=30224926|s2cid=154877577|issn=0022-278X|access-date=18 May 2021|archive-date=18 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210518110815/https://www.jstor.org/stable/30224926|url-status=live}}</ref> These were held in early 2007, the first time that the country had held elections that were generally agreed to be of an acceptable standard. Following the elections, Mauritania's membership of the AU was restored. However, on 6 August 2008, a fresh coup overthrew the government elected in 2007. The AU once again suspended Mauritania from the continental body.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.economist.com/node/14105592 |title=All is rather easily forgiven |newspaper=[[The Economist]] |date=23 July 2009 |access-date=15 July 2011 |archive-date=21 February 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120221194243/http://www.economist.com/node/14105592 |url-status=live }}</ref> The suspension was once again lifted in 2009 after the military junta agreed with the opposition to organise elections.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mauritania-sanctions/african-union-lifts-sanctions-on-mauritania-idUSTRE56021Z20090701 |title=African Union lifts sanctions on Mauritania |work=[[Reuters]] |date=1 July 2009 |access-date=3 December 2017 |archive-date=4 December 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171204171128/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mauritania-sanctions/african-union-lifts-sanctions-on-mauritania-idUSTRE56021Z20090701 |url-status=live }}</ref>

==== Mali ====
[[File:GSPC map.png|thumb|[[Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb]] (formerly [[Salafist Group for Preaching and Combat|GSPC]]) area of operations]]
In March 2012, a military coup was staged in Mali, when an alliance of Touareg and Islamist forces conquered the north, resulting in a coming to power of the Islamists. This resulted in the deaths of hundreds of Malian soldiers and the loss of control over their camps and positions.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Dixon |first1=Robyn |last2=Labous |first2=Jane |title=Gains of Mali's Tuareg rebels appear permanent, analysts say |url=https://articles.latimes.com/2012/apr/04/world/la-fg-mali-tuaregs-20120404 |website=Los Angeles Times |date=4 April 2012 |access-date=4 September 2018 |archive-date=10 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180910090629/http://articles.latimes.com/2012/apr/04/world/la-fg-mali-tuaregs-20120404 |url-status=live }}</ref> After a military intervention with help from French troops, the region was in control of the Malian army. To reinstall local authorities, the AU helped to form a caretaker government, supporting it and holding presidential elections in Mali in July 2013.<ref name="dandc.eu">Bernadette Schulz, Ruth Langer, [http://www.dandc.eu/en/article/african-peace-and-security-architecture-already-proving-useful-even-though-it-still-work "Peace missions – The long haul"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140718202114/http://www.dandc.eu/en/article/african-peace-and-security-architecture-already-proving-useful-even-though-it-still-work |date=18 July 2014 }}, D+C, 27 August 2013.</ref>

In 2013, a summit for the African Union was held and it was decided that the African Union was going to enlarge their military presence in Mali. The AU decided to do this because of increasing tensions between al-Qaeda forces and the Mali army. There have been several rebel groups that are vying for control of parts of Mali. These rebel groups include the [[National Movement for the Liberation of Azawad|National Movement for the Liberation of Azawad (MNLA)]], the National Front for the Liberation of Azawad (FLNA), Ganda Koy, Ganda Izo, [[Ansar al-Din Front|Ansar ad-Din]], and [[Al-Qaeda]] in the [[Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb|Islamic Maghreb (AQIM)]]. AU forces have been tasked with counterinsurgency missions in Mali as well as governing presidential elections to ensure as smooth a transition of power as possible.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Besancon |first1=Marie |last2=Dalzell |first2=Stephen |date=June 2014 |title=The Soldier and the Street: East African CIMIC in Somalia and Beyond. |journal=PRISM Security Studies Journal |volume=5 |pages=117–135 }}</ref>

==== 2021 hotspots ====
A disputed election in December 2020 has led to intensification of the [[Central African Republic Civil War]], displacing 200,000 people. United Nations peacekeepers, including soldiers from Russia and Rwanda, have kept the rebels out of [[Bangui]], but rebels control much of the rest of the country. The AU has not sent peacekeepers to the areas because of a lack of agreement on how to handle the situation: [[Chad]] and the [[Republic of the Congo]] support the rebels while [[Rwanda]] and [[Angola]] support the government.<ref name="2021_priorities"/>

The [[Tigray War]] in Ethiopia has left millions in need of humanitarian aid. Eritrean troops are said to be supporting the Ethiopian government, and there have been border conflicts with Sudan. The relationship between Sudan and Ethiopia is further complicated by the [[Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam]] project, which also directly affects Egypt.<ref name="2021_priorities"/>

===== Coup Belt =====
[[File:Coup belt.svg|200px|thumb|(Map of successful coups in Africa since 2020)]]

The term [[Coup Belt]] originated from coups that were staged beginning in the early 2020s, including in [[Mali]] in [[2020 Malian coup d'état|2020]] and [[2021 Malian coup d'état|2021]], [[2021 Guinean coup d'état|Guinea]], [[Mahamat Déby#President of the Transitional Military Council|Chad]], and [[2021 Sudan coup d'état|Sudan]] in 2021, two in [[Burkina Faso]] in [[January 2022 Burkina Faso coup d'état|January]] and [[September 2022 Burkina Faso coup d'état|September]] in 2022, and [[Niger]] and [[Gabon]] in 2023. The region also saw attempted coups in [[2021 Nigerien coup d'état attempt|Niger]] and [[September 2021 Sudanese coup d'état attempt|Sudan]] in 2021, [[2022 Guinea-Bissau coup d'état attempt|Guinea–Bissau]] and [[2022 Gambian coup d'état attempt|The Gambia]] in 2022, and [[2023 Sudan conflict|Sudan]] and [[2023 Sierra Leone coup plot|Sierra Leone]] in 2023. After the 2023 Nigerien coup, these countries formed a continuous chain stretching between the east and west coasts of Africa.