In principle, regional economic communities are an integral part of the African Peace and Security Architecture (APSA). As demonstrated by the APSA Roadmap 2016 –2020, it shows that they are a vital element in larger global peacebuilding structures and processes. Collaboration in practice, is not that easy, often due to capacity constraints. This policy brief argues that to become more effective, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) must consider its comparative advantages in relation to the African Union across the conflict spectrum, and focus its engagements more effectively. It looks at practical ways to do so by examining concrete best practices and lessons from IGAD’s peace and security engagements. Practical ways for the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) to enhance its implementation of the APSA is examined in this policy brief. This is done by focusing on concrete best practices and lessons from IGAD’s peace and security engagements, noting ways in which these linkages can be enhanced from a holistic perspective and/or extended to other RECs.
