APCJ_1528_Win2010_00i_122_4 12/30/10 3:22 PM Page 119 Africa’s New Peace and Security Architecture 119 preciation of the APSA in light of its advances and challenges, qualified by Sturman and Hayatou as the ‘modest reality of an institution in its early stages of consolidation, with many challenges to be weighed against its achievements to date’ (p. 57). All contributors, while acknowledging the principles underlying the design of the APSA, express a hedged optimism in the frequent use of the word potential in discussing the realization and progress of the architecture. Engels and Gomes Porto have fashioned the volume in an easy-to-use, textbook style, with the authors of each chapter first summarizing the previous chapter’s thesis, presenting their own arguments, and then introducing the reader to the following chapter. The introductory chapter provides a comprehensive overview of the topics to be covered while each successive, thematic chapter contributes to an overall understanding of the APSA. The text successfully provides an in-depth, critical view of the rationale and process of establishment, functionality, and challenges facing the architecture. Whether a reader chooses to read chronologically proves no disadvantage, as each chapter stands on its own and in the case where one prefers a hurried summary of the text, a good read of the final chapter will more than fulfill this purpose. The extensive bibliography and footnotes in Africa’s New Peace and Security Architecture provide a beneficial ‘further reading’ guide for a better understanding of the AU; the editors do not pretend to analyze the entire structure of the union, only its peace and security architecture. Points for reflection and research questions provided by the authors are particularly useful. Despite the book’s many positive elements, one dubious aspect is the argument of the inherent practice of ‘structural’ conflict prevention imbedded within the practice of conflict management or resolution. Although resolving the root causes or structural conditions that precede violence, and transforming such structures after a conflict is settled, might be beyond the means or capacities of the APSA, asserting that such practice is assumed in conflict management processes is debatable. One peculiarity of note involves the fifth APSA pillar, the Peace Fund, which receives only passing reference. The fund was established to support peace operations through appropriations from the AU budget, donations, and fundraising. To properly understand and appreciate the potential of the architecture, an evaluation of the progress of the fund would seem relevant given the tremendous financial challenges facing the APSA and the AU, as acknowledged by the contributors. Why there is a ‘no comment’ on such a fundamental aspect of the architecture’s survival begs an answer; perhaps a response or justification will be provided in a revised edition or subsequent, related volume. This is an excellent contribution to the field and a ‘must read’ for any scholar contemplating the question of African security. Engel and Gomes Porto are correct in their assessment that ‘in creating the APSA, the African Union is treading new and uncharted waters for which there are no templates, no proven recipes, no off-the-shelf road maps. The risks are therefore many, and the implementation and the successful actualization of this complex architecture not assured’ (p. 143).