| ID | 156092 |
| Title Proper | African standby force |
| Other Title Information | the African Union’s tool for the maintenance of peace and security |
| Language | ENG |
| Author | Darkwa, Linda |
| Summary / Abstract (Note) | Declared operationally ready in 2016, the African Standby Force (ASF) has not been deployed in its originally designed form. This is not for the lack of opportunities but rather a demonstration of the power of the Regional Economic Communities/Regional Mechanisms (RECs/RMs) – Africa’s sub-regional security structures – over matters of peace and security. Experience gathered from its short existence suggests that the ASF may never be deployed in its current form. It may instead evolve into a robust framework, adaptable mainly by the RECs/RMs, for addressing varied security challenges. Four things are critical to enhancing the utility of the ASF: the political willingness of the RECs/RMs, the strategic interest of the member states, predictable and sustainable financing, and clarity on the role of the African Capability for Immediate Response to Crisis, the temporary battlegroup that was created to provide the African Union with a rapid response capability, pending the ASF’s operationalization. |
| `In' analytical Note | Contemporary Security Policy Vol. 38, No.3; Dec 2017: p.471-482 |
| Journal Source | Contemporary Security Policy Vol: 38 No 3 |
| Key Words | African Union ; Peace and Security ; Funding ; African Standby Force ; Regional Economic Communities/Regional Mechanisms ; Rapid Deployment Capability |