Evolution of the Peace and Security Council of the African Union and the African Standby Force, up to 2006

Abstract

This article explores the issues of national and continental security since the formation of the Organization of African Unity. Although the OAU established a mechanism for confl ict prevention, it has not been able to effectively intervene in the many confl icts on the African continent. The subsequent African Union's Peace and Security Council seeks to promote peace and human security in Africa via the establishment of an African Standby Force. Another positive indicator is the ability of the AU to mount properly constituted peace operations such as the AU Missions in Burundi and Sudan. However, even at this early stage, the author cautions that serious challenges, such as a lack of adequate manpower and funding for African peace operations, already plague the PSC. African Insight Vol. 36 (3&4) 2006: pp. 41-56