South African President Thabo Mbeki has pursued an ambitious foreign policy agenda. But many remain disappointed with South Africa’s unwillingness to challenge the status quo in African trouble spots.

International attention is riveted on bringing Darfur’s rebel groups to the negotiating table. Meanwhile, peace in Sudan’s south appears increasingly fragile.

Sudan's bid to chair this year's African Union Summit has brought fierce criticism from opponents who say Khartoum's human rights record would damage the organization's efforts at reform. Sudan continues to fight a bloody civil war and the government faces accusations of human rights abuse in its Darfur region.

Paul D. Williams assesses Africa's growing strategic importance to the United States, while clarifying how the African Union (AU) is poised to be a U.S. partner on the continent. Citing numerous challenges facing the AU regarding conflict management capabilities, this Working Paper enumerates practical policy recommendations for capacity-building in this area.