Evolution of the Peace and Security Council of the African Union and the African Standby Force, up to 2006

Abstract

This article explores the issues of national
and continental security since the formation
of the Organization of African Unity.
Although the OAU established a mechanism
for confl ict prevention, it has not been able
to effectively intervene in the many confl icts
on the African continent. The subsequent
African Union's Peace and Security Council
seeks to promote peace and human security
in Africa via the establishment of an African
Standby Force. Another positive indicator
is the ability of the AU to mount properly
constituted peace operations such as the AU
Missions in Burundi and Sudan. However,
even at this early stage, the author cautions
that serious challenges, such as a lack of
adequate manpower and funding for African
peace operations, already plague the PSC.

African Insight Vol. 36 (3&4) 2006: pp. 41-56