Peace and Security Council Report No 28
Over 32 million voters have been registered for the presidential and legislative elections to be held in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) at the end of this month. The long awaited elections are facing some serious financial, logistical and organisational concerns that, if not addressed, could exacerbate existing security concerns and add to political instability. The analysis, written by an ISS Researcher who recently completed field research in the DRC, examines the possible security and political challenges in Africa`s second biggest country in the lead-up to elections and points out ways the PSC could contribute toward supporting the democratisation process.
Ten days after the killing of Gaddafi, the National Transitional Council in Libya is looking toward the formalization of the transition period with new leadership and plans for elections. However the peace and security of Libya is far from certain. In the absence of a unified command and control the task to ensure law and order the way ahead is expected to be very challenging. The formation of an all-inclusive transitional government and national reconciliation process is another mammoth task awaiting the transitional body. The analysis on Libya sheds light on the transitional process and the security and political challenges faced by the ruling Council. Possible roles for the AU`s future engagement are also explored.
The withdrawal of Al Shabaab from Mogadishu did not significantly improve the security in the capital as the city witnessed a wave of suicide attacks killing many civilians in the past two months. Hope for a political solution to the Somali crisis looks dim at this point as there is no visible interest from the two major parties, the TFG and Al Shabaab, in starting talks anytime soon. Both parties are also in a state of weakness and division. The military intervention of the Kenyan government is believed to be further complicating the situation and creating new dynamics in the Somalian security complex. The article on Somalia looks at the state of the various parties and suggests practical moves that could help improve conditions in the country.
Recent years have witnessed a zero tolerance policy by the AU towards any kind of unconstitutional change of government. The popular uprisings in North Africa removed three governments in a period of eight months in a manner that was neither constitutional nor orderly. The AU is facing difficulty on how to deal with such changes as they did not fall into the traditional concept of unconstitutional changes of government in Africa. The November volume of the PSC Report reviews the AU`s norms on unconstitutional Changes of Government and considers their implications in terms of the North African Popular uprisings.
Duke Kent-Brown (Editor)
