"The establishment of the African Union is a potential watershed in the continent's affairs ... [Those AU institutions] responsible for providing a new peace and security architecture will test the resolve and political commitment of its collective membership ... This title addresses ... the role of NEPAD and the AU; what lessons can be learnt from other regional security arrangements; the problem of funding ... the structuring of the envisaged standby force; and political requirements for an effective security framework." (Quoted from product description)