The partnership between the UNDP and AUC in the establishment of the AFSIT portends several advantages. The African Union and other regional actors have established robust normative frameworks to advance democratic governance, and human security and promote the right to development on the continent. They have also often led political engagements and interventions to address complex political transitions in Africa. These political engagements have had mixed results and may sometimes constrain regional actors from direct or immediate engagements with countries experiencing complex political transitions due to decisions such as sanctions. Yet, there is a clear recognition of the need to stay and deliver for the population even during such complex political transitions.

In recent years, democratic backsliding has become manifest in diverse contexts across the globe. On the African Continent, this phenomenon has become particularly pronounced in a wave of military coups and other Unconstitutional Change of Governments (UCG), including third-termism.