Investigating the Animal Welfare Strategy for Africa

This research critically examines the Animal Welfare Strategy for Africa (AWSA) under the African Union-Interafrican Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR) through the lens of Third World Approaches to International Law (TWAIL). It explores how historical, political, and legal factors shape AWSA's development and implementation, assessing its effectiveness in addressing Africa's distinct animal welfare concerns. Existing international legal frameworks prioritize conservation, trade regulation, and species preservation rather than dedicated animal protection initiatives. Treaties such as CITES, CBD, and CMS contain provisions that indirectly impact animal welfare but lack a specific focus. Furthermore, domestic animal welfare laws vary widely, allowing regulatory loopholes that enable industries to exploit weaker protections. This research interrogates whether AWSA offers a viable alternative to Western-centric models of animal law, which often fail to reflect African socio-economic and cultural realities. Through TWAIL analysis, this study critiques AWSA's anthropocentric approach, which recognizes animal sentience but primarily within the framework of economic utility and livestock production. While AWSA represents progress in integrating animal welfare principles into African governance, its dependence on international funding and external standards raises concerns about the extent of African agency in shaping its implementation. By investigating the legal, political, and institutional dimensions of AWSA, this research contributes to debates on global animal law and proposes context-specific solutions that align with African priorities, ensuring that animal welfare policies are both effective and culturally relevant. The study ultimately challenges the notion of a universalist approach to animal law, advocating for frameworks tailored to regional contexts within the African Union's governance mechanisms.