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Sudan Tribune

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Former Italian premier chairs a panel to support African peacekeepers

September 12, 2008 (UNITED NATIONS) — Former Italian premier, Romano Prodi, will chair a new panel set to raise international support to the African Union (AU) peacekeeping missions established under UN mandate.

AMIS_pay_their_last_respects.jpgSince its inception in 2002, the African Union adopted plans to establish its peacekeeping force to be deployed in conflict zones. However since its first operation in the troubled region of Darfur, the AU proved incapacity to curb violence or to protect civilians due to funding and equipments difficulties.

The joint AU-UN panel, called for in an April resolution of the Security Council, will also comprise James Dobbins of the United States, Jean-Pierre Halbwachs of Mauritius, Monica Juma of Kenya, Toshi Niwa of Japan and Behrooz Sadry of Iran.

The panel will start meeting in New York on Monday for talks with UN chief Ban Ki-moon and begin their deliberations. It is due to submit a report to the UN Security Council by year’s end.

“The Panel will consider lessons from past and current African Union peacekeeping efforts and explore possible options to enhance the predictability, sustainability and flexibility of resources for African Union peacekeeping operations mandated by the (UN) Security Council,” said U.N. spokesperson Michele Montas.

African peacekeeping missions face difficult conditions due to the lack of money and equipments in the past and present. A two year African peacekeeping mission in Darfur (AMIS) had been replaced by a joint operation since January this year.

Another peacekeeping operation in Somalia known as AMISOM, also failed to attract troops and mainly formed from Ugandan troops who face daily attacks and failed to restore security in the country. The operation is also under-funded and ill-equipped.

The AU adopted in 2003 a plan to establish an African Standby Force (ASF). The continental force, that should be fully operational in 2010, will be made up of five regional brigades of 2,000 to 3,000 soldiers each.

The ASF will have the capability to handle complex peacekeeping missions involving both military and civilian support, as well as post-conflict disarmament, demobilization and humanitarian assistance.

(ST)

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