The Training for Peace Programme at ACCORD (TfP/ACCORD) has co-hosted the 6th Annual African Standby Force (ASF) Training Implementation Workshop organised by the African Union (AU) Peace Support Operations Division (PSOD), in Pretoria, South Africa from 5th – 7th June 2013. The workshop was attended by approximately 50 participants, drawn from the African Union Commission (AUC), Regional Economic Communities/Regional Mechanisms (RECs/RMs), The African Peace Support Trainers’ Association (APSTA), Training Centres of Excellence, United Nations Office to African Union (UNOAU), South African government and Partners.
The purpose of the workshop was to review the progress on the implementation of the ASF Training Plan 2012; and to finalise ASF Training Plan 2013-2014, taking into consideration the activities of the ASF Roadmap III (2011-2015).
The workshop provided training guidelines to the African Regional Standby Forces and contributed to the harmonisation and coordination of training activities in accordance with ASF Training Policy and Directives, which are in line with standard practice, and to adhere to the provisions of the ASF training policy. The Workshop aimed to review the progress of the implementation of the ASF Training Plan 2012-2013, and to produce the ASF Training Plan for 2014-2015. It was also important to build on the activities of the ASF Roadmap III (2011-2015), and to review the progress of the European Union/African Peace Facility Funding for the Training Centre’s Programme; including the review of the concept of Centres of Excellence.
By co-hosting this event with the AU PSOD, TfP/ACCORD contributed to harmonising a multidimensional ASF Training Plan for 2014-2015 that will prepare ASF Forces adequately within the framework of ASF Roadmap. This is in line with the TfP Programme’s strategic goal for improved and sustainable capacity for peace operations on the continent, through (1) ensuring that functional organisational systems are in place in the UN, AU and RECs using relevant policy frameworks mandated by the UN, AU and RECs; and (2) ensuring competent personnel in UN, AU and RECs peace operations with the provision of relevant and high quality training. In particular, the anticipated result of this activity is in line with TfP/ACCORD’s specific objective to assist the AU and RECs in the development of the civilian structures of their standby forces and Planning Elements (PLANELMs), for operationalisation of the ASF by 2015. ACCORD was presented by Ms Barbara Mohale, Peacekeeping Unit Programme Officer, and Ms Seun Abiola, Peacekeeping Unit Senior Programme Officer.
The success of the workshop enriched consideration of the European Union’s (EU) support to the African Training Centre’s Programme, which is an ongoing initiative, and has placed enormous commitment on AUC for monitoring, guidance and direction. To this effect, the workshop provided the platform to enhance proficiency between AUC and RECs/RMs ASF Training Officers and the development of pragmatic mechanisms for the use, accessing and reporting of funding. It also offered the opportunity to engage with Partners on the synchronisation of funding for continental and regional training activities.
The Training for Peace Programme at ACCORD is an initiative funded by the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
