Publication

This paper reviews lessons learned from the involvement of the African Union's Panel of the Wise (PoW) in preventative diplomacy - referring to actions or institutions used to prevent political disputes from escalating into armed conflict - in elections in Africa. The experiences examined include PoW involvement in electoral processes in Guinea (2010), the DRC (2011), Egypt and Tunisia (during the post-Arab spring transition) as well as Kenya (2013). He argues that although preventive diplomacy cannot fully solve the problem of electoral-related conflicts, the experiences of the PoW show it can contribute to peaceful outcomes in some countries.