AU chairman says establishment of continental standby force on course

The operationalization of an African standby force is on course to help deal with emerging security challenges in the continent, African Union (AU) Chairman Robert Mugabe said Tuesday during the closing ceremony of the 25th AU summit in Johannesburg.

"We agreed on the need to fasttrack the establishment of an African standby force to be deployed in various trouble spots. Countries have set up mechanisms to achieve this goal," Mugabe said.

The creation of a continental standby force with deployable capability was mooted two years ago to help deal with emerging security threats like civil strife, terrorism and transnational crimes.

African leaders have since 2014 discussed modalities of setting up a standby force that is both efficient and well equipped.

Mugabe said the AU heads of state summit in Johannesburg devoted ample time to discuss security challenges in the continent and strategies requited to tackle them effectively.

"The issue of terrorism, migration crises and political instability in some parts of the continent concerns everyone. We require a joint approach to overcome these challenges," said Mugabe.

African states are harmonizing legal and policy framework to facilitate the establishment of a continental standby force.

The Chairperson of AU Commission Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma revealed that regional blocs have agreed on holding joint military exercises as part of the process of setting up an African standby force.

"Our sub-regions have already commenced joint military drills and we are hoping that by the end of this year, an African standby force will be ready," Zuma told reporters.

African states have agreed to strengthen internal structures to enhance response to security challenges like conflicts, terrorism and cross border crimes.

Smail Chergui, the commissioner of peace and security of the AU, stressed that a homegrown approach was critical to tackle security challenges in the continent. Endi