The Role of Regional Organizations in Resolving Political Conflicts: The African Union and Its Role in the Settlement of the Libyan Political Conflict (2015–2025)

Abstract

This study examines the role of the African Union in managing the Libyan political conflict during the period 2015–2025, highlighting the organization’s capacity to address a complex crisis characterized by internal divisions and overlapping interventions by regional and international actors. The research problem centers on the limited effectiveness of the African Union in exerting tangible influence on the trajectory of the conflict, despite its significant political and diplomatic engagement, raising critical questions about the ability of regional organizations to manage protracted and intractable crises. To achieve its objectives, the study employs a historical approach to trace the evolution of the conflict, alongside a descriptive-analytical method to assess the tools and mechanisms utilized by the African Union, including political mediation, observation missions, and coordination with the United Nations. The findings indicate that while the African Union contributed to promoting dialogue and national reconciliation, its impact on the ground remained constrained due to the absence of robust enforcement mechanisms, the multiplicity of external interventions, and weak domestic commitment. These limitations underscore the need to develop more effective operational frameworks to ensure sustainable peace.