CHAPTER 5: PEACE, SECURITY AND GOVERNANCE 5.1 Introduction There are many descriptions and definitions of peace. Generally, peace is the absence or war and civil conflict and the prevalence of security, especially in an environment that is conducive for sustained social and political stability. The African Union considers governance, peace and security as prerequisites for sustainable development. The assessment of peace and security focuses on progress towards “Silencing the Guns”. This chapter presents the principal AU instruments, and the key decisions, declaration, and actions aimed at realising the Africa we want. It identifies the structural causes of conflict and instability, highlights the peace and security initiatives of the AU, RECs, and Member States and examines the functioning of the African Peace and Security Architecture (APSA). 5.2 The Interrelationship between Peace, Security and Governance Democratic governance, peace and security are complementary and essential to social and economic development. They are interrelated, interdependent, and mutually reinforcing imperatives for continental integration and sustainable development, hence, Agenda 2063 Aspiration 4, which envisages a peaceful and secure Africa as fundamental to African progress. 5.3 African Union Instruments on Peace, Security, and Governance AU instruments on peace, security, and governance include: the Constitutive Act, the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance, the Declaration on Principles Governing the Conduct of Democratic Elections in Africa, the Convention on the Prevention and Combating of Terrorism and the Protocol Relating to the Establishment of the Peace and Security Council of the African Union. The table below shows the Member States that have signed, ratified and deposited the various AU instruments. Page 57 of 96