Since the development and inception of the African Standby Force (ASF), the African Union Commission (AUC) in collaboration with the supporting partners, African Centre for the Constructive Resolution of Dispute/Training for Peace Programme (ACCORD/TfP), Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH (GIZ) and German Center for International Peace Operations (ZIF) have been continuously providing technical assistance and capacity building support to the Regional Economic Communities (RECs), and Regional Mechanisms (RMs) Rostering Focal Points through training and on sight technical support to ensure the existence of an effective and efficient predictable and deployable pool of experts.
The AUC and partners met with the South African Development Community (SADC) from 26-30 June 2017 in Gaborone, Botswana in pursuance of the dedicated effort to provide technical assistance through coaching and mentoring to the rostering and newly recruited Human Resources officers in the SADC Secretariat.
In light of the above, close coordination and cooperation between the AU-PSOD and the RECs/RMsis important for the enhancement of the capacity of the African Standby Force (ASF). The civilian component roster is key for rapid deployment should a mission be mandated. Additionally, as part of the ASC coordination efforts, the AUC regularly visits the RECs and RMs to monitor and evaluate progress in building the roster.
The recent SADC visit focused on, (a) review of progress in SADC’s efforts at populating the roster, (b) addressing SADC rostering management challenges in the usage of the ASC database and human resources tools, (c) and this was an opportunity to also provide an update on the status of the SADC/AUC ASC roster while emphasising the need for strengthened collaboration among regional rostering officers and training institutions.
This initiative is in line with the ACCORD/TfP Programme’s strategic goal of supporting efforts at strengthening the AUC’s capacity and capability to plan, manage and implement peace support operations on the continent through the development of the ASF. This initiative also seeks to contribute to improved sustainable capacity for the conduct of peace operations on the continent through ensuring effective functioning of organizational systems in the AU/RECs/RMs.
The Training for Peace Programme at ACCORD is an initiative funded by the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
ACCORD/TfP was represented by Brig. Gen. James Machakaire, Coordinator, Peacekeeping Unit, Mr. Kitenge Tunda, Programme Officer, Peacekeeping Unit and Ms. Precious Ngcobo, Programme Administrator Peacekeeping Unit.
