The search for subsidiarity: The UN, African regional organizations and humanitarian action

Abstract

This article focuses on the subsidiarity debate on restructuring the operational relationship for humanitarian action between the UN and regional intergovernmental organizations. The principle of subsidiarity favours decentralized control within a tiered governance system. In light of financial and political pressures to regionalize humanitarian action, this article explores the competencies of prominent African regional organizations. This comparative examination illustrates that while the call for subsidiarity is alluring, the search for a working model endures. Should signs of Western disengagement continue, the regional mechanisms for peace and security operations or humanitarian assistance would be unable to cope. An effective architecture for humanitarian action is feasible but this will require rethinking current patterns of international assistance and collaboration.