Publication

This paper analyzes the emerging international norms of subsidiarity. The author explains why, according to such norms, Africa is considered to be responsible for African conflicts. He goes on to argue that these norms justify "buck-passing" on the part of the West and leave African countries with limited military means to deal with the large number of destructive armed conflicts on the continent. The author provides an overview of the various regional and subregional organizations in Africa, including the African Union (AU), the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the Southern African Development Community (SADC), and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and analyzes their position towards international subsidiarity standards. The paper concludes with a survey of the various forms of support promised to these organizations by the West.