African Union

=== 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" />