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Mediation as a Preventative Measure Against Unconstitutional Changes of Governement: African Union as a Case Study
Mini Dissertation (MADips) --University of Pretoria, 2026.
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| Format: | Thesis |
| Language: | English |
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University of Pretoria
2026
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| _version_ | 1869483915009327104 |
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| access_status_str | Open Access |
| author2 | Wielenga, Cori |
| author_browse | Wielenga, Cori |
| author_facet | Wielenga, Cori |
| collection | Thesis |
| dc_rights_str_mv | © 2024 University of Pretoria. All rights reserved. The copyright in this work vests in the University of Pretoria. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the University of Pretoria. |
| description | Mini Dissertation (MADips) --University of Pretoria, 2026. |
| format | Thesis |
| id | oai:repository.up.ac.za:2263/107902 |
| institution | University of Pretoria (South Africa) |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2026-07-01T04:06:34.679Z |
| license_str | Other — see source repository |
| provenance_str_mv | Harvested via OAI-PMH from UPSpace — University of Pretoria Institutional Repository |
| publishDate | 2026 |
| publishDateRange | 2026 |
| publishDateSort | 2026 |
| publisher | University of Pretoria |
| publisherStr | University of Pretoria |
| record_format | dspace |
| source_str | UPSpace — University of Pretoria Institutional Repository |
| spelling | oai:repository.up.ac.za:2263/107902 Mediation as a Preventative Measure Against Unconstitutional Changes of Governement: African Union as a Case Study Wielenga, Cori kivab@dirco.gov.za Kiva, Bulelwa Maureen Unconstitutional Changes of Government UCTD Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) African Union Coflict Resolution Mediation Preventative Diplomacy Mini Dissertation (MADips) --University of Pretoria, 2026. Unconstitutional Changes of Government (UCG) are a major threat to political stability, democratic governance, economic development, and human rights across Africa. Despite the African Union’s (AU) normative commitment to prevent UCG, the recurrence of military coups and unconstitutional political transitions reveals persistent gaps in its conflict prevention and response mechanisms. This study uses the AU as a case study to investigate the effectiveness of mediation as a preventive strategy against UCG. Drawing on the theoretical perspectives of mediation, conflict prevention and preventive diplomacy, the study analyses the AU’s legal and institutional frameworks, most notably the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance. The study assesses strengths and weaknesses of AU-led mediation processes and defines implementation challenges. Additionally, the roles of regional economic communities (RECs), the United Nations, and other international actors that complement AU efforts are evaluated. The findings reveal that significant implementation gaps persist, despite the AU’s development of a robust normative framework. These gaps are caused by limited political will, resource constraints, and inconsistent application of the framework’s principles. The study also finds that early warning systems, inclusive dialogue, and sustained diplomatic engagement are critical in preventing UCG. Ultimately, the research concludes that mediation holds substantial preventive potential, but for it to be truly effective in curbing unconstitutional power transitions in Africa, it must be restructured to prioritise early action, local ownership, and political accountability. Political Sciences MA Diplomatic Studies Unrestricted Faculty of Humanities SDG-16: Peace, justice and strong institutions 2026-02-05T13:11:17Z 2026-02-05T13:11:17Z 2026-04-01 2026-01-21 Mini Dissertation * April 2026 http://hdl.handle.net/2263/107902 en © 2024 University of Pretoria. All rights reserved. The copyright in this work vests in the University of Pretoria. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the University of Pretoria. application/pdf University of Pretoria |
| spellingShingle | Unconstitutional Changes of Government UCTD Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) African Union Coflict Resolution Mediation Preventative Diplomacy Mediation as a Preventative Measure Against Unconstitutional Changes of Governement: African Union as a Case Study |
| title | Mediation as a Preventative Measure Against Unconstitutional Changes of Governement: African Union as a Case Study |
| title_full | Mediation as a Preventative Measure Against Unconstitutional Changes of Governement: African Union as a Case Study |
| title_fullStr | Mediation as a Preventative Measure Against Unconstitutional Changes of Governement: African Union as a Case Study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Mediation as a Preventative Measure Against Unconstitutional Changes of Governement: African Union as a Case Study |
| title_short | Mediation as a Preventative Measure Against Unconstitutional Changes of Governement: African Union as a Case Study |
| title_sort | mediation as a preventative measure against unconstitutional changes of governement african union as a case study |
| topic | Unconstitutional Changes of Government UCTD Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) African Union Coflict Resolution Mediation Preventative Diplomacy |
| url | http://hdl.handle.net/2263/107902 |