The goal and position of the African Standby Force (ASF) is to ensure security in all African countries. Its adequacy in responding to conflicts that are instigated by alien forces is a matter of great concern. As a contributor to the formation and strengthening of the ASF, Ethiopia’s role is commendable. It has contributed to the African peace and security to ensure peaceful coexistence among neighboring countries.
However, studies reveal that the ASF’s financial, logistical, technical and organizational strength have to be improved for allowing it to fully achieve its goal and potential role. It is argued that the ASF should only be deployed as a last resort with parallel efforts being carried out in the field of diplomacy. Recommendations have also been given regarding an early warning on the beginning of conflicts and minor skirmishes before they go out of control. The need for conflict resolution and mediation is given high priority to arrest or keep at bay devastating wars between African countries.
The major rights and obligations of the AU are related to interventions in grave circumstances related to war crimes and genocide. The AU is totally against crimes and transgression being perpetrated in the region. Its establishment has resulted in the creation of the African Peace and Security Architecture (APSA), of which the African Standby Force (ASF) is a part.
The ASF has five regional brigades supported by regional economic communities and regional mechanisms. Ethiopian is a major contributor of peace keeping force to the standby force. It can be deployed at any stage of conflict and it is expected to be ready for deployment at any time and in any country. It is always ready to be involved in complex peace-keeping operations. It also intervenes in response to grave circumstances in any African country. However, a number of challenges limit the potential role of the ASF and these include political and legal, technical, operational and organizational issues. These issues are presented herewith in some detail.
The ASF faced political and legal issues as it lacked a clear and robust legal mandate. This is seriously required for its operations and for efficient decision-making process that allows for deployment of forces. This allows for ensuring timely and relevant responses. Mobilization and maintaining of the political support of AU member states, including Ethiopia, is also critical to ensure success. This is necessary for ensuring a credible and well-timed deployment of ASF missions.
Regarding technical issues, it is important for ASF to refine and elaborate policy documents and operational concepts. These are important preconditions for rapid deployment and for building maritime capabilities. It is also important to form police units and sea and air lift capabilities for safeguarding the forces from dangers. It is also important to strengthen structures and systems at the AU level. It is also a precondition to establish an effective command and control structure including improved recruitment policies and procedures. It is a necessary requirement to provide adequate training and facilitate joint exercises for ensuring success.
There are other limitations regarding operational issues, including adequate mobilization of funds to deploy and sustain ASF operations. There is a need to develop effective and transparent systems for managing financial resources. The development of modern financial system is a prerequisite to ensure effective operation for achieving objective of the ASF. Added to this is a need for clarity on the roles and responsibilities of the AU regarding the use and authorization of ASF missions.
Moreover, it requires guidance to ensure that the different brigades adhere to the same standards in military operations. All the missions of the ASF needed similar approaches in reaching the same level of preparedness in case of emergency. It is to be underlined that the ASF will play an important role in the AU’s response to conflict and crisis situations in the short, medium and long-term. However, the success of ASF will depend on removing constraints on its capability. In this respect, recommendations have been made for the global community to include institution-building and reconstruction for the fulfilling of the ASF mission in conflict zones.
Capacity building is a prerequisite when ASF is deployed to make an effective contribution to long-term peace and security. It is also advised to recognize that the ASF is not the main instrument of the AU for conflict resolution. Conflict resolution requires the strengthening of co-operation between the AU and its partners including Ethiopia. As a member state, it has immensely contributed in enhancing the capacity of the AU.
Experts recommend that AU members should provide more resources and funding for the implementation of its peace and security agenda. This is critical for financing ASF operations that are authorized solely by the Peace and Security Council. Organizationally, the ASF comprises multi-national and multi-disciplinary Civilian, Police and Military components. These are held on standby in their countries of origin in the five regions of the African Union. These regions are: 1) Eastern Africa Standby Force; 2) Northern Africa Standby Brigade: 3) Western Africa Standby Brigade; 4) Central African Standby Brigade and 5) Southern Africa Standby Brigade.
The five components are constantly on standby for rapid deployment at short notice as provided in the ASF operations. The Eastern Africa Standby Force (EASF) is a regional organization whose mandate is to enhance peace and security in the Eastern Africa region in which Ethiopian is a major partner. It is one of the five regional multidimensional Forces of the African Standby Force (ASF) consisting of Military, Police and Civilian components.
EASF was established as a regional mechanism to provide capability for rapid deployment of forces. These forces carry out preventive deployment, rapid intervention, peace and stability operations and enforcement. The EASF has a vision of contributing to regional and continental peace, security, stability and integration. It has the mission of maintaining and sustaining a fully operational and multidimensional integrated standby force ready to respond to emerging crises. As expected, Ethiopia is ready to fulfill the vision and mission of the EASF as a regional force.
The common African Defense and Security mechanism was a major concern of the Inaugural Summit of the AU. This was held in Durban, South Africa, in July 2002. The African leaders have been compelled to develop African solutions that would respond to the multifaceted challenges of Africa. These challenges have been threatening peace, stability, security, cooperation and development in Africa. Reports revealed that the leaders established the Peace and Security Council (PSC), and the African Standby Force (ASF) was formed as part of the African Peace and Security Architecture (APSA). The PSC covers an agenda for peace and security. This includes “conflict prevention, early warning and preventive diplomacy and peace-building.
The African leaders also designed intervention and humanitarian mechanism for the management of disaster, conflicts and skirmishes. The other important components in the region included the African Early Warning System; the Panel of the Wise and the Peace Fund which are crucial for development.
The establishment of East African Standby Force (EASF) follows the decision of the Summit of the African Union held in July 2004 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The EASF has been established as a constituent part of the organization of the ASF. Ethiopia has played a critical role in the regional security and defense as it is a major partner in maintaining peace and security in the Horn of Africa region. In March 2007, the Council of Ministers for Defense and Security established a Coordination Mechanism called EASFCOM in which Ethiopia is a major partner. The establishment is based on past experiences of conflicts in Africa, such as the Rwanda Genocide, war in Sudan, and war in Somalia among others.
The Eastern Africa region continues to be faced with challenges of conflict and internal problems impacting on peace and security. It is believed by political observers of the region that the Horn regions has been embroiled and enmeshed by alien forces, including the superpowers that have vested interest in the exploitation of the natural resources of the region. Ethiopia is one of the targets of exploitation because of its rich natural resources. It is, therefore, a major proponent of the African Standby Force that guarantees peace and security in the region.
Editor’s Note: The views entertained in this article do not necessarily reflect the stance of The Ethiopian Herald
BY GETACHEW MINAS
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD TUESDAY 11 FEBRUARY
