UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's recent reference to Morocco's 'occupation' of Western Sahara has brought the dispute back into the international spotlight.
Despite its crucial role in military and security matters, the AU MSC still has several challenges to overcome.
Libya has become the single biggest transit point for immigrants crossing to Europe, and a safe haven for terror groups like ISIS.
Collaboration between al-Qaeda and African terrorist organisations like AQIM, Boko Haram and al-Shabaab has created a significant security threat on the continent.
