Efforts of the African Peace and Security Council in Consolidating Stability within the African Continent

Prepared by the researche : Ali Hatem Fouad – Political Researcher Specialized in Peace and Security

DAC Democratic Arabic Center GmbH

Africa is one of the regions facing growing challenges related to peace and security as a result of numerous conflicts and armed disputes, both between states and within them. In this context, the African Peace and Security Council (PSC) emerged as a principal body of the African Union tasked with managing these challenges, reflecting the continent’s commitment to achieving stability and sustainable development. The Council was established in 2004 as an effective mechanism aimed at preventing and resolving conflicts through peaceful means, employing tools such as mediation, preventive diplomacy, and peacekeeping missions. It has also played a pivotal role in strengthening regional and international efforts to establish security by adopting a comprehensive approach that addresses the root causes of conflict, promotes transitional justice, and fosters development.

The Council further supports cooperation among African states to achieve collective stability, working in coordination with international organizations such as the United Nations to ensure complementarity of efforts. With the growing challenges of armed conflicts, terrorism, and foreign interventions, the PSC stands as a vital instrument in realizing the continent’s vision of building a strong security architecture capable of addressing the complexities of the African landscape, making it a cornerstone in the pursuit of sustainable peace.([1])

At the same time, the PSC is considered the most prominent instrument available to the African Union for achieving peace and security on the continent. Article II, paragraph 1 of the Council’s founding protocol defines it as a permanent decision-making body responsible for the prevention, management, and resolution of conflicts within the Union. The Council is tasked with arrangements related to collective security and early warning for any African conflicts. It is supported in its mission by the AU Commission, the Panel of the Wise, an early warning system, a standby African force assigned to specific tasks, and a dedicated Peace Fund.

The Council also seeks to achieve several objectives, which form the foundation of its creation. These include supporting operations aimed at securing peace and stability, preventing the outbreak of conflicts that undermine Africa’s developmental aspirations, and formulating common defense policies for the Union as stipulated in Article IV. Additionally, it works to promote and encourage democratic practices, good governance, respect for the rule of law, human rights, and international humanitarian law. These efforts aim to prevent conflicts among member states or between governments and internal factions, while also harmonizing the various initiatives of AU bodies to end armed activities by groups across the continent, including transnational terrorism in all its forms.([2])

Regarding its composition, the Peace and Security Council consists of 15 member states: 10 elected for two-year terms and 5 for three-year terms, rotated according to the principle of geographic representation across Africa. Membership is distributed as follows: four states from West Africa, three from East Africa, three from Central Africa, three from Southern Africa, and only two from North Africa. This distribution reflects the regional balance the AU seeks to maintain, alongside additional selection criteria such as the capacity for military and financial contributions to the Union, the political will to act, and effective diplomatic presence.([3])

Working mechanisms of the PSC

The Council is one of the AU’s most prominent organs and is mandated to strengthen peace, security, and stability on the continent. To perform these duties, its main working mechanisms are as follows([4]):

1. Promoting reconciliation through the Panel of the Wise: This body works to resolve conflicts through mediation and dialogue. It consists of five African statesmen appointed by the AU Commission Chairperson on a regional basis for three-year terms. The Panel plays a notable role in peace, security, and development across Africa, providing advice to the PSC and the Commission Chairperson on matters of conflict prevention and resolution. Upon request from the Council, or on its own initiative, the Panel supports ongoing efforts to prevent conflicts.([5])
2. Continental Early Warning System (CEWS): This system monitors security challenges and issues early alerts to anticipate and prevent conflicts. It comprises 21 members in addition to its head: 2 deputies, 2 secretariat staff, 2 registrars, and 15 analysts, five of whom are political analysts heading regional branches across Africa. The system bears the responsibility of forecasting developments, particularly when foreign political interference occurs on the continent.
3. Intervention when necessary to prevent internal or border conflicts: The Council can intervene in conflicts for humanitarian reasons, such as halting genocide. This mechanism aims to prevent internal and border disputes before they erupt, respond quickly when they do, and deter external aggression on Africa, thus avoiding the internationalization of African conflicts as happened in Liberia and Sierra Leone. The African Standby Force is made up of military and civilian elements based in their home countries, prepared for rapid deployment when mandated. It is also supported by a Military Staff Committee tasked with advising the PSC on military and security requirements for maintaining peace and stability.
4. Peace Fund: Financing is a crucial factor for the Council’s independence. Diverse funding sources—including the UN, private sector, and external donors—can negatively affect its autonomy. To address this, the Peace Fund was created to ensure financial resources for PSC missions, sourced from the AU budget, member states’ contributions, African or external economic aid, and voluntary donations. The AU Commission Chairperson may also accept external contributions, provided they align with the Union’s principles and objectives.

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The Council’s Efforts in Settling African Conflicts

The role undertaken by the Peace and Security Council (PSC) in resolving conflicts on the continent can be highlighted through several key dimensions, as follows:([6])

Axis One: The PSC’s interventions in resolving African conflicts

In this context, the most notable interventions of the African Peace and Security Council in settling conflicts on the continent include the following:

First: The Council’s intervention in resolving the conflict in the Comoros

The roots of the crisis in the Union of the Comoros date back to August 1997, when one of the country’s islands, Anjouan, declared secession. This was followed by a coup d’état in April 1999, when the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces seized power in the Comoros. The takeover led to the suspension of the constitution and democratic institutions that had been established in 1996. The coup leader issued a new constitutional decree granting himself full executive and legislative powers and formed a government that excluded the country’s political currents.

Despite attempts to resolve the crisis, tensions escalated once again on the island, particularly after Colonel Mohamed Bacar, who seized power through a coup in 2001, assumed leadership of Anjouan in 2002. Bacar refused to comply with the Constitutional Court’s ruling ordering him to step down, instead organizing elections and declaring himself governor of the island. Consequently, the African Union, through the PSC, intervened via two missions:

1. The African Union Mission for the Support of the Comoros Elections (CESIMA): Established under a PSC resolution at the request of the Comoros’ president in March 2006, CESIMA was mandated to ensure a conducive environment for holding presidential elections, support reconciliation efforts, prevent government forces from interfering in the electoral process, and safeguard civilians heading to polling stations. The mission’s mandate lasted until June 9, 2006, and its force strength comprised around 462 personnel, including military, police, and civilian elements.
2. The AU Electoral and Security Assistance Mission in the Comoros (SEAM): Created under a PSC decision in May 2007, SEAM’s purpose was to provide a secure environment for the election of island governors, reinforce African efforts to monitor the elections, and promote dialogue among parties. Ultimately, the PSC succeeded in resolving the Comorian conflict. Contributing factors included the limited armament of the secessionist Anjouan island, French support for the central government and its readiness to transport African troops into the conflict zone, Tanzania’s presidency of the AU (given its strong historical ties with the Comoros), and the Union’s desire to compensate for its failures in Darfur and Somalia.([7])

Second: The Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) against Boko Haram (FTJNM)([8])

The objective of the MNJTF was to curb arms smuggling in the Lake Chad Basin, where Boko Haram was primarily active in Nigeria and Chad. The force aimed to counter cross-border threats and security risks affecting Nigeria, Chad, and Niger, while combating insurgency and sabotage operations, particularly amid Boko Haram’s rise in Nigeria and its spillover effects on neighboring states. The Lake Chad Basin Commission included several countries, most notably Cameroon, Nigeria, Chad, and Niger, with Nigeria contributing the largest share of resources.

However, progress against Boko Haram and its factions was often short-lived, as the militants consistently managed to evade attacks by fleeing to other areas. This was compounded by the inability of states—especially Nigeria—to sustain military operations, or to rebuild and improve living conditions in recaptured areas. To overcome these obstacles and enhance effectiveness, the MNJTF urged its member states to improve planning, coordination, and intelligence sharing. It also encouraged governments and military leaders to provide greater transparency regarding what information could be shared and what should remain classified for security reasons. Additionally, the Task Force called for member states to commit their forces for longer deployments under MNJTF command, while increasing training in human rights and monitoring violations to improve the force’s reputation.

The MNJTF was also urged to pay special attention to the treatment of captured Boko Haram fighters, ensuring their swift handover to civilian authorities. This measure would help governments improve relations with local communities, who often perceive the forces as mistreating detained youths. Furthermore, the MNJTF needed to align its efforts with the African Union’s 2018 Regional Stabilization Strategy, which focused on improving service delivery and creating new livelihoods in conflict-affected areas. For this to succeed, the African Union and international donors—particularly the European Union—had to support these initiatives, ensure that aid was provided efficiently without excessive bureaucracy, and reach a sustainable consensus with Lake Chad Basin countries regarding long-term financial backing.

Case Study: Egyptian Officers in the Field of African Peace and Security

Colonel Amr Rashad Ismail Mohamed stands out as one of the distinguished Egyptian officers who has demonstrated exceptional ability to operate in multiple and complex environments within the framework of Africa’s peace and security architecture. His military expertise goes beyond traditional duties, extending to a profound understanding of the political and diplomatic dimensions that form the core of ARSC’s work. He contributed to establishing mechanisms for coordination between the regional components of the African Standby Force, thereby enhancing the Union’s ability to intervene rapidly and effectively in crises. This competence became especially evident in his success at building communication bridges between the national level (the Egyptian army), the regional level (regional economic communities), and the continental level (the African Union). His role thus carried strategic value that went beyond field missions, moving towards shaping a comprehensive approach to collective security in Africa.

Colonel Amr Rashad’s role was particularly prominent in Sudanese files, where the successive crises in both North and South Sudan posed a real challenge to Africa’s peace and security structure. Through his active participation in field missions and military consultations, he contributed to designing and implementing intervention plans grounded in the principles of conflict prevention and containment. In North Sudan, he worked to support Union efforts in monitoring ceasefires and protecting civilians, while in South Sudan he focused on supporting security arrangements linked to the fragile peace agreement, including disarmament programs and the reintegration of former combatants. These experiences made him both a witness to the complexity of the Sudanese scene and a practical contributor to realistic solutions that combined military tools with political and diplomatic mechanisms.

One of Colonel Amr Rashad’s most notable strengths lies in his commitment to applying the founding charter of the African Union and its principles, particularly regarding the rejection of military coups, respect for human rights, and the promotion of collective security. He worked diligently to translate these principles from theoretical texts into practical practices in the field. His contribution was not limited to the execution of orders but extended to formulating proposals and mechanisms that ensured military interventions aligned with the Union’s legal and political framework. This aspect strengthened the legitimacy of the African Union’s work in the eyes of member states and the international community and contributed to maintaining its credibility as a key actor in conflict management across the continent. In this sense, Colonel Amr Rashad embodied the model of the officer who understands that security is not built solely through arms but through political legitimacy and adherence to international and regional law.

Colonel Amr Rashad’s contributions cannot be separated from Egypt’s broader role in Africa’s peace and security architecture. His participation represented a qualitative addition to Cairo’s policy of consolidating its position as a pillar of regional stability. Through his work within ARSC, he helped transfer the expertise of the Egyptian military institution into African frameworks, particularly in the fields of training, capacity-building, and crisis management. He also supported Egypt’s efforts to strengthen coordination with regional groups such as IGAD in East Africa and ECOWAS in West Africa, making his presence a reinforcing factor for Egypt’s standing within the Union. This dimension reflects individual competence aligned with national and regional vision, confirming that Colonel Amr Rashad was not merely a representative of Egypt but also a practical tool linking it to Africa’s collective security structure in service of continental stability as a whole.

Colonel Amr Rashad Ismail Mohamed’s career highlights a clear presence in peace and security within African Union institutions. His role was not confined to field participation in rapid deployment missions but extended to contributing to the development of policies and mechanisms that enhance the Union’s ability to address complex conflicts on the continent. He worked within Union structures to support initiatives aimed at promoting mediation, building trust among warring parties, and developing long-term plans for restoring stability—efforts that helped reduce the likelihood of renewed violence after political settlements. He also contributed to shaping programs for building the security capacities of joint African forces, ensuring the sustainability of peace operations away from excessive reliance on external powers. His contributions in this field made him a key actor in transforming African Union principles from political commitments into practical, effective tools for establishing stability. This, in turn, reinforced Egypt’s position within the Union as a principal player in engineering continental security.

References

[1] African Union. Consultancy Services on Security Sector Reform (SSR) in the Kingdom of Lesotho. Available at: https://au.int/en/bids/20210428/consultancy-services-security-sector-reform-ssr-kingdom-lesotho

[2] African Union. Conclusions of 2nd Africa Forum on Security Sector Reform – Promoting the Continental Agenda of Security, Justice and Development. Available at: www.peaceau.org/en/article/conclusions-of-2ndafrica-forum-on-security-sector-reform-promoting-the-continentalagenda-of-security-justice-and-development

[3] Farouk Hussein Abu Deif. “The African Union and Partnerships in the Field of Security Sector Reform.” African Readings [in Arabic].

[4] African Union. Report of the Peace and Security Council on its Activities and the State of Peace and Security in Africa. Available at: https://www.peaceau.org/uploads/assembly-au-3-viii-a.pdf

[5] Mohamed Khalifa. “Mechanisms and Aspects of Cooperation between the African Union and the United Nations in the Field of International Peace and Security.” Available at: https://asjp.cerist.dz/en/article/31746

[6] Mahmoud Zakaria. United Nations Peacekeeping Operations in Africa: Reality and Challenges (A Study). Cairo: Pharos Center for Studies. Available at: https://pharostudies.com/%D8%B9%D9%85%D9%84%D9%8A%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A3%D9%85%D9%85-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D8%AA%D8%AD%D8%AF%D8%A9-%D9%84%D8%AD%D9%81%D8%B8-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B3%D9%84%D9%85-%D9%81%D9%8A-%D8%A3%D9%81%D8%B1/

[7] United Nations. “UNISFA Mission Fact Sheet.” Accessed April 11, 2020. https://peacekeeping.un.org/en/mission/unisfa

[8] Al Jazeera. “Due to Coups and Violations… These States Had Their Membership Suspended by the African Union.” October 2021. https://www.ajnet.me/encyclopedia/2021/10/28/%D8%A8%D8%B9%D8%AF-%D8%AA%D8%B9%D9%84%D9%8A%D9%82-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A7%D8%AA%D8%AD%D8%A7%D8%AF-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A3%D9%81%D8%B1%D9%8A%D9%82%D9%8A-%D8%B9%D8%B6%D9%88%D9%8A%D8%A9

[9] Ibid.

[10] Conciliation Resources. “Central African Republic: The Conflict in Focus.” Accessed April 9, 2020. https://bit.ly/2xKgMy4

[11] African Union. Policy on Post-Conflict Reconstruction and Development (PCRD). Available at: www.peaceau.org/uploads/pcrd-policyframwowork-eng