African Union Responses to Security Challenges – H.E. Ambassador Michel Xavier Biang
Channel: Africa Center for Strategic Studies
Date: 2023-08-02

Presentation from Session 18 of our Emerging Security Sector Leaders Seminar

While not envisioned in the United Nations Charter, peacekeeping has become a key mission of the UN, and numerous operations have been conducted in Africa. Quite often, the former department of political affairs was involved in peacekeeping activities on the continent. The Department of Political Affairs (DPA) used to manage a number of field-based Special Political Missions (SPMs) under very challenging security environments. Many of these missions have complex mandates – including in areas such as the strengthening of national systems of justice, police and corrections, human rights, and transitional justice – which often have implications for the rule of law and security, both directly and indirectly.

The Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs (DPPA) now plays a central role in UN efforts to prevent conflict and build sustainable peace, including in places where there are no UN peace support operations. In light of growing empirical evidence that taking a preventive approach to stemming conflict and crisis can save countless lives and millions of dollars, practitioners in the peacebuilding arena are now seeking to pursue strategies to address security, justice, and governance-related grievances that can fuel conflict and insecurity if left unaddressed. In line with these developments, DPPA is committed to “monitor[ing] and assess[sing] global political developments with an eye to detecting potential crises and devising effective responses.”

Although the UN has assisted Africa and despite some progress on the ground, African intervention forces continue to face several perennial challenges, including financing. Other problems include a lack of relevant equipment, challenges to fully integrating local civil society and other non-state actor voices into the peacebuilding processes they support, and such political issues as adequate mandates and rules of engagement.

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