Enhancement and utilization of the ASF
"I have always been eager to ensure we learn lessons on how to enhance the effectiveness of AU PSOs, together with those conducted by RECs/RMs and Coalitions of State.” Amb. Bankole
Enhancement and utilization of the ASF:
African Standby Force (ASF) Processes. Following the directives from Paragraph 2 (e) of the declaration of the 14th meeting of the STCDSS and Paragraph 11(i) of the Report of the 15th Ordinary meeting of the STCDSS, the Commission initiated the process of the strategic review of the ASF. This process envisioned a multi-level stakeholder engagement that would include the AU PSC, representatives from the AU Member States, RECs/RMs for the ASF and their Planning Elements (PLANELMs), the AU Commission and Subject Matter Experts. Similarly, and in response to the evolving needs and lessons learned in the ASF and AU PSOs, the AU has updated its training framework for PSO personnel , which was originally guided by the ASF Training Policy and Training Standards (2006) . It will be recalled that the AU adopted a new AU Doctrine on PSOs in 2021 . This among other factors necessitated a review and revision of the 2006 training guiding documents to align with current operational requirements of the ASF. In this regard, a validation workshop involving the RECs/RMs and other ASF/PSO training stakeholders, to review and finalize the Draft African Union Training Policy for Peace Support Operations was held in December 2023. The revised AU Training Policy for PSOs establishes a comprehensive framework for all training managed by the AU, RECs/RMs, and Member States by capturing the relevant aspects of the ASF Training Policy (2006) and ASF Training Standards (2006), while addressing the current needs of PSOs. The draft AU Training Policy for PSOs is hereby submitted to this STCDSS for further consideration and adoption.
Draft African Union Strategy for Counter Improvised Explosive Devices (C-IED). Paragraph 2 of AU PSC Communique PSC/PR/COMM. (DCCCXXXVII) of the 837th meeting held on 4 April 2019 called on Member States to prevent the use of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) through integrated and coherent approaches, and requested the Commission in consultation with Member States to develop the necessary frameworks in this regard. This statement was reinforced by the AU PSC through Communiques of its 1032nd and 1072nd meetings held on 16 September 2021 and 1 April 2022 respectively, which requested the Commission to finalize and conclude the draft Counter IED strategy. In this regard, the AU draft C-IED strategy was developed as a continental approach to prevent, counter, and respond to the enduring threat of IEDs which is viewed as one of the greatest security threats in Africa. The framework aims to guide Member States as well as RECs/RMs in the development and implementation of national and regional C-IED enterprises to include strategic C-IED approaches appropriate to their local context. The draft African Union Strategy Counter Improvised Explosive Devices is hereby presented to this 16th Ordinary meeting of the STCDSS, for information only, as further consultation will be undertaken with the Member States for subsequent approval.
Capability Development Africa Standby Capacity (ASC) Roster. Pursuant to paragraph 3(k) of the declaration of the 10th Ordinary Meeting of the STCDSS, the Commission is working with the Human Resources Management Department to streamline the ASC Roster with existing AU Human Resources processes and procedures. In this regard, development of a Human Resources Policy for PSOs, which will underpin the usage of the roster, is underway. The process of populating of the ASC roster at RECs/RMs levels continues with the current subtotal from all the 5 regions standing at 562 roster members. The processes for the elaboration of similar roster systems for police and military personnel are ongoing, with the police roster at the stage of development of the database management system as well as the drafting of screening SOPs. The military roster is still at a conceptual stage. ASF Training and Exercises. The 15th Annual ASF Training Implementation Workshop (TIW) was held in Cairo, Egypt from 1 - 3 November 2023, with the aim of assessing the progress and challenges of implementing ASF Training Directives (2021 – 2023) and culminating in the formulation and adoption of the new ASF Training Directives for the period 2024 – 2026. The Report of the 15th Training Implementation Workshop and the Draft African Union Training Policy for Peace Support Operations are hereby submitted to this STCDSS for consideration and adoption. Furthermore, three (3) workshops were conducted to advance the development of the ASF Generic Pre-Deployment Training (PDT) Package for Formed Police Units (FPUs) , enhancing standardization across AU Member States for FPU preparation in ASF duties. Similarly, the AMISOM and ASF PDT Packages for Individual Police Officers (IPOs) were reviewed to accommodate new developments as well as ensuring accurate information for IPOs deploying in various AU PSOs. The AMISOM PDT package was reviewed in line with the transition to ATMIS and the related mandate. Additionally, the Commission undertook dissemination efforts of its Training Packages, including a Training of Trainers course on the ASF Generic Military Pre-Deployment Training Package for SADC Member States in Johannesburg, South Africa.
AMANI Africa III ASF Continental Maritime Exercise. The Commission continued with planning for the AMANI Africa III Continental Maritime Exercise, pursuant to the directives of the 15th meeting of the STCDSS. The exercise aims to enhance the ASF capability in response to addressing maritime security threats in the continental waters. This is with a view to providing a stable maritime environment to contribute to peace, good order and continuing prosperity on the continent, especially to promote Blue Economy in Africa. In line with the ASF Exercise Planning Guidelines, an Initial Planning Conference (IPC) process was planned for implementation in 2023. However, due to lack of funds, the IPC was not carried out as envisioned. Notwithstanding, the Commission is aiming to readjust the Exercise Timeline and secure adequate and sustainable funding to enhance the available budget with support from partners, to facilitate reporting to the STCDSS. Verification of the ASF Pledged Capabilities. Following a request from NARC and a subsequent decision by the 15th Ordinary meeting of the STCDSS, which guided the Commission to conduct a verification and assessment of NARC to ascertain the operational readiness to deploy under the ASF, the Commission undertook a verification exercise of the NARC including PLANELM and pledged capabilities in November 2023. The exercise was carried out under the guidance of the ASF Pledged Capability Verification Guidelines (2019), at the NARC Executive Secretariat and its Planning Element, as well as in two (2) selected Member States (Algeria and Egypt), to evaluate their pledged capabilities. Additionally, visits were made to the Regional Logistics Depots (RLDs) in Cairo, Egypt, and in Jijel, Algeria, for further assessments. A comprehensive report was submitted to the Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security (CPAPS) with the key finding that NARC be declared fully operationally ready having reached most of the key milestones to enable the region to deploy under the ASF. The CPAPS subsequently approved the recommendation among others. A copy of the Executive Summary is hereby attached for the information of the STCDSS.
No one institution is capable of meeting all the continent's governance, peace and security needs. The progress made so far has been possible through joint efforts between the Commission, the RECs and RMs, Member States, multilateral and bilateral Partners and international, continental and national civil society organisations. Our ability to effectively and efficiently deliver on our mandate is dependent on deepening our strategic partnerships, understanding the strengths and limitations of each Partner and maximising the opportunities each presents.
In our new business model, co-creation is the hallmark of our partnerships. At the multilateral level, technocrats in the Department are working with their counterparts in other organisations, particularly the UN, in setting up joint task teams on critical elements in governance, peace and security. These joint task teams allow for collaborative analysis, horizon scanning and scenario development to guide decision makers in their organisations. To harness the opportunities provided by the continental free trade regime to promote peace, security and stability, we collaborated with the Department of Economic Development, Tourism, Trade, Industry and Mining, and other multilateral organisations, to organise a continental policy conference on Promoting the Peace, Security, and Development Nexus: The Promise of Regional Integration. The outcome of the policy conference offers concrete recommendations for promoting inclusive growth and development to minimise inequalities that could be mobilised to foment insecurity and proactively use the opportunities of Africa's free trade regime to promote peace and security. "In our new business model, co-creation is the hallmark of our partnerships" As part of our determination to use evidence based knowledge for policy development and implementation, we have instituted formal structures of engagement with African civil society organisations. The idea is to provide a platform to strategically interact and use civil society expertise to generate evidence based policy-oriented research to guide the Department's work, thereby ensuring use of the various studies being conducted.
