Systemic Disconnects: Why Regional Organizations Fail to Use Early Warning and Response Mechanisms

Abstract

To what extent does empirical evidence confirm or question the value of conflict early warning and response for effective practice by regional organizations? This article presents a brief overview of existing key EWR mechanisms and analyzes if, and under what conditions, these mechanisms might be a useful peace and security promotion tool for regional organizations. It looks at three regional and subregional organizationsthe African Union, the Economic Community of West African States/Economic Community of West African States Monitoring Group in West Africa, and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development in East Africa that have established such conflict EWR mechanisms. Until now, these tools have not been adequately implemented or fully used. The principal reason for this is not a lack of sufficient EWR data. Instead, regional organizations often fail to respond in time to prevent an emerging violent conflict because of weaknesses of the organization and political disagreements within the organization.

Firmer Footing for a Policy of Early Intervention: Conflict Early Warning and Early Response Comes of Age

“…Inadequacies in organizational processes are a result of an overwhelming emphasis on information gathering, analysis, and reporting, with relatively little attention to the utilization of those reports and the options available to foreign policy decision makers (Carment, 2003;Wulf & Debiel, 2010).…”