Professor Ulf Engel, Institute of African Studies & Centre for Advanced Study, University of Leipzig, Germany and Dr J. Gomes Porto, University of Bradford, UK

• Contents: Africa's new peace and security architecture: an introduction, Ulf Engel and João Gomes Porto; Regional security in a global perspective, Frederick Söderbaum and Björn Hettne; Heritage and transformation: from the Organization of African Unity to the African Union, Klaas van Walraven; The Peace and Security Council of the African Union: from design to reality, Kathryn Sturman and Aïssatou Hayatou; The panel of the wise, Tim Murithi and Charles Mwaura; The continental early warning system: methodology and approach, El-Ghassim Wane, Charles Mwaura, Shewit Hailu, Simon Kopfmueller, Doug Bond, Ulf Engel and João Gomes Porto; The African stand-by force, Jakkie Cilliers and Johann Pottgieter; The African peace and security architecture: an evolving security regime?, João Gomes Porto and Ulf Engel; Bibliography; Index.

'...a tremendously useful analysis of the evolving peace and security "architecture" of the African Union. The fact that some of the authors have had direct involvement in the creation of the new institutions gives added value. The book provides an institutional baseline against which others will assess how well this architecture succeeds in reducing the continent’s exposure to debilitating armed conflict.' Christopher Cramer, School of Oriental & African Studies, UK '...provides useful and timely insights into challenges and prospects for implementation of the principle of responsibility to protect in post-Cold War Africa. Its engagement with both the theory and practice of collective responsibility for common security in a fluid international environment makes the book particularly de rigueur. The plurality of perspectives immaculately woven together creates a seamless treatise of one of the most complex scholarly subjects of our time.' Siphamandla Zondi, Executive Director: Institute for Global Dialogue, Midrand, RSA '...the book will serve as a handy reference volume for those interested in the organizational make-up of the AU's peace and security mandate.' International Affairs ’...provides an informed and critical analysis of how the continent’s peace and security architecture could take root. The book is on significance because some of the authors were directly involved in the establishment of the AU’s peace and security architecture, with specific reference to the Continental Early Warning System - that is crucial to dealing with conflict in Africa before it gets out of hand.’ African Prospects Magazine