AU-DRC: Support to AU's DRC Presidency AU-DRK: Stöd till DRK:s AU-ordförandeskap This contribution aims at contributing to peace and stability in the African region, including DRC, as well as to ensure that some priority issues such as gender, youth and women's participation are properly integrated in various fora during the DRC Presidency of the African Union. AU’s local office in Kinshasa will provide a technical assistance to the DRC President's dedicated Panel of Experts. Most of the support will be in form of funding key positions for experts (political, military and peacebuilding advisers as well as a special assistant to the head of the office) who will work closely with the DRC President's Panel of Experts. Denna insats övergripande syfte är att bidra till fred och stabilitet i de konfliktdrabbade områdena på kontinenten inklusive i DRK och att vissa prioriterade frågor (t.ex. gender, ungdomars och kvinnors deltagande etc.) uppmärksammas under DRK:s ordförandeskap i Afrikanska Unionen (AU). AU:s lokala kontor i Kinshasa skall förse DRK:s president med tekniskt stöd under AU-ordförandeskapet. Största delen av stödet kommer att vara i form av finansiering av nyckelpositioner för experter (politiska, militära och fredsbyggande rådgivare och en specialassistent till kontorets chef) som kommer att arbeta nära DRK-presidentens egen expertpanel. This intervention is aimed at supporting the AULO work in supporting the DRC Presidency of the African Union (February 2021 - February 2022), to ensure that critical work contributing to peace and stability is high on the agenda, and especially issues pertaining to women and youth rights and their participation in to peacebuildning in the country and in the continent. This includes issues related to advancing women's and youth's role in peacebuilding in national and regional initiatives.
This contribution is well in line with the AULO's mission in DRC, and even more relevant this particular year when AU's Presidency is assured by the DRC Head of State. AU's Political and Security Council (PSC) decides the mandate and structure of each AULO/AU field mission, including the AULO in DRC, depending on the development of the situation in the concerned country and the availability of resources.
The PSC has also established generic functions, including - Support to the work of the PSC and the AU Commission by briefing and generating reports on crises, conflict and other developments and by monitoring the implementation of PSC decisions at local level;- Participation in follow up mechanisms provided for by peace agreements and support their implementation. The Offices are the AU’s presence on the ground and provide opportunities for the AU to assess the- Analyze and suggest appropriate measures to be taken to maintain peace in the DRC.
The AULO DRC is in a priviledged position to bring their expertise and support to the DRC presidency in a way that renders this presidency as effective as possible. The office can provide support to post-conflict reconstruction and peacebuilding activities and initiatives, by assisting national Government to achieve their various post-conflict agenda.
Given the complexity of the conflicts in the DRC, mainly its connections with other conflicts in neigbouring countries, it will be essential for the DRC presidency of the AU to use the opportunity to enhance chances for sustainable peace in the country and in the region.