Highlights of the PSC decisions in August 2017

The PSC last month asked the AU Commission to send a fact-finding mission to the DRC and to strengthen the political role of the AU in that country.

Published on 20 September 2017 in PSC Insights

By

PSC Report

The Peace and Security Council (PSC) last month expressed its concern over the situations in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and South Sudan, and urged countries that are having elections to adhere to African Union (AU) guidelines.

During its meeting on 22 August 2017 the PSC reiterated its concern about the continuous ability of terrorist groups to recruit and access weapons on the continent. It also reviewed the implementation of the decisions on preventing and combatting terrorism and violent extremism in Africa taken in Nairobi three years ago.

The PSC urged member states to, among others, establish financial intelligence units and appropriate judicial systems and capacities to address money laundering and curb terrorist funding. It also asked them to submit annual reports on their implementation of the 2004 Protocol on the Prevention and Combatting of Terrorism, to help the AU Commission (AUC) assess the progress made and challenges encountered. The AUC and its agencies were called upon to continue to provide capacity building for member states in this regard. The PSC also requested the Committee of Intelligence and Security Services in Africa (CISSA) to provide a detailed report on the nature and source of weapons used by terrorists.

The establishment of an African warrant of arrest seems to have fallen by the wayside

Tweet this

It should be noted that some of the decisions adopted by the PSC during its last meetings on terrorism were not mentioned in this most recent list of recommendations to member states. The drafting of an African list of terrorist groups and the establishment of an African warrant of arrest seem to have fallen by the wayside.

Concern over violence in the DRC

The PSC met on 23 August on the situation in the DRC. It expressed its concern about the continued violence in various parts of the country, especially in the Kasai provinces. It also deplored the adoption of unilateral targeted sanctions on Congolese personalities by non-African organisations and actors.

The PSC asked the AUC chairperson to dispatch a pre-electoral and security situation assessment to the DRC as soon as possible. It also stressed the need to strengthen the political role of the AU in the DRC, especially through enhancing the human resources required by the AU liaison office in the country.

The commissioner of political affairs briefed the PSC on post-election analysis and upcoming elections in Africa on 24 August. The PSC urged member states that are holding elections in the next few months to adhere to the AU Declaration on Principles Governing Democratic Elections in Africa and the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance.

The PSC stressed the need to strengthen the political role of the AU in the DRC

Tweet this

Noting the low voter turnout among youth and women in many countries, the PSC urged member states to ensure and promote popular participation. It also called upon member states to prevent political groups and civil society groups from establishing youth militias that promote campaigns of violence that could undermine the credibility of the electoral process. The PSC requested the AUC to continue conducting early warning activities in order to enable the timely detection of election vulnerabilities. 

Call for better coordination on South Sudan

At its 714th meeting the PSC was briefed on the situation in South Sudan. The council expressed its concern over the slow implementation of the ARCISS and the violence in the country. It also reiterates its full support for the efforts of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), especially for the High-Level Revitalisation Forum. Finally, the PSC stressed the need to establish mechanisms to ensure better coordination and complementarity among the various stakeholders involved in peacemaking in South Sudan.

On 30 August the PSC met for an exchange of views on post-election developments in Kenya. It commended the Supreme Court of Kenya for acting on the grievances of opposition political parties over the outcome of the election. It called upon everyone in Kenya to abide by the court’s decisions. 

Picture: BBC World Service