ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses statebuilding within the context of post-conflict reconstruction and development in Africa. It outlines the policies and practices of, first, the African Union (AU) and then the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), and explores how these are implemented in fields of political governance, security sector reform, economic reform, and social justice. These areas are crucial to any effective or comprehensive statebuilding process; if they are not adequately addressed, there is a risk of the country concerned reverting to conflict. The policy framework acknowledges that civil society can make a significant difference to post-conflict reconstruction and identifies several areas where its contributions are essential: early warning, research, policy development, and capacity-building through training and education. The chapter summarizes the general challenges confronting the AU/ECOWAS in their policy interventions to rebuild post-conflict member states and offers some recommendations as to how these organisations could improve their state-building policies and practices.
