African standby force to be operational next year
October 31, 2015 (ADDIS ABABA) – The newly established African Stand-by Force (ASF) made up of brigades withdrawn from the five continental blocs is due to start its military operation early next year.
African countries created the force for an immediate and effective respond to crises across the continent.
It also intends to curb reliance on western and other foreign powers for their forces to deploy at conflict zones across Africa.
Some African countries – mainly Zimbabwe – had been opposing European Union and other foreign power’s military interventions in Africa aimed to stop conflicts.
The Stand-by Force will always be ready for deployment anywhere on the continent in a short notice.
The force would be deployed to trouble spots around Africa up on request by a member states in order to restore peace and security.
Parts of ASF’s missions include monitoring, observation and peacemaking and peace building support which include post-conflict disarmament, demobilization and humanitarian assistance missions.
According to AU officials, ASF which is the most critical component of the African Peace and Security Architecture (APSA) will swiftly intervene in a member state if AU believes there are grave conflict circumstances with possible war crimes, genocide and other crimes against humanity.
AU military experts say the unified force needs an initial up to $1 billion to finance the operation which currently lacks critical funding.
The rapid reaction force will depend almost entirely on development partners for funding as African countries are incapable to finance the force.
Currently the first round ASF military exercise is ongoing in South Africa and will continue until 5 November.
The operation is intended to evaluate how ready the force is to respond to crises and monitor peacekeeping missions.
(ST)