This archive report was first published on 18 July 2021.
Published on July 18, 2021, the African Union's African Standby Force has been struggling with low commitment and lack of financial support from member states, hindering its ability to effectively respond to emerging conflicts.
The African Union Peace and Security Council has expressed concern over the low level of support to the continued operationalisation of the African Standby Force due to lack of resources, including predictable and sustainable funding.
Formed under the African Peace and Security Architecture (APSA), the Standby Force was supposed to create a pool of troops to enable the continent deal with emerging conflicts or unconstitutional changes in government.
However, the force has been slow to materialize, with the AU Commission Chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat being asked to finalise the structure and financing model, especially for the logistics base.
The council also called upon the AU Commission to finalise and submit the 2021-2026 Comprehensive Roadmap on the Enhancement of the ASF, including for establishment of the special unit for combatting terrorism and violent extremism.
