Progress with the African Standby Force

This paper provides an overview of the progress that has been made towards the establishment of the ASF, at continental and regional levels

This paper provides an overview of the progress that has been made towards the establishment of the African Standby Force (ASF), at continental and regional levels. The first section provides a review of the continental framework as it has evolved to date and been adopted by the African Union. Subsequent sections deal with progress in three regions in Africa, namely the Economic Community for West Africa (ECOWAS), the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC). The conclusion highlights the most salient challenges to be overcome if the ASF is to become a meaningful and effective conflict resolution tool in the hands of the Peace and Security Council of the African Union. 

Authors

Jakkie Cilliers is the executive director of the Institute for Security Studies and has published widely on regional security issues.

Mark Malan is head of the Conflict Prevention, Management, and Resolution Department at the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre.