One of the stated aims of the African Union is to 'promote peace, security, and stability on the continent'. With that in mind, the organisation co-hosted a conference aimed at finding an end to Sudan’s war last week in London.

But even as discussions continued in London, thousands of civilians in Northern Darfur were fleeing for their lives under military bombardment.

And in other parts of the continent there are other equally bloody and apparently unresolvable conflicts – including in neighbouring South Sudan, the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo and in the Sahel region where Islamist jihadist groups are active.

So how much impact can such meetings, and the organisation, actually have?

For today’s Africa Daily, Peter Musembi speaks to the AU’s Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security Ambassador Bankole Adeoye.