The Legitimacy of the African Union Peacekeeping Mission in Sudan (AMIS)

Studienarbeit aus dem Jahr 2015 im Fachbereich Politik - Internationale Politik - Region: Afrika, Rijksuniversiteit Groningen, Sprache: Deutsch, Abstract: This paper begins by providing background information about the African Union and the causes of the civil war in Sudan, which erupted in 2003. It will then go on to present the theoretical framework, namely Beetham's model of legitimacy. Thirdly, Beetham's model of legitimacy will be applied to the African Union Mission in Sudan (AMIS). Finally, a conclusion is drawn and the question whether the AMIS can be considered legitimate according to Beetham's model is answered.Peacekeeping is an important part of global politics. Furthermore, it can be called an essentially contested concept. Additionally, many people relate the word peacekeeping automatically with the Blue Helmets of the UN. However, the UN is not the only international organization which conducted peacekeeping missions. The African Union (AU) deployed peacekeeping missions in Sudan, Somalia and Burundi. A key norm in international law expresses that sovereign states should not intervene in national matters of other sovereign states. Nevertheless, there are omissions concerning this "non-intervention principle," which are laid down under Chapter VII of the UN Charter.