News
African Union setting up standby force to counter militant threat
The force has been under discussion for more than a decade but its establishment has been hampered by concerns over its command structure and funding.
AU Chairperson Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma said armed Islamist groups from Boko Haram in Nigeria to al Shabaab in Kenya and Somalia were a menace to the entire continent. She urged the bloc’s Peace and Security Council to study new ways of countering it. A final statement from the summit on Friday is expected to make a commitment to strengthening Africa’s security institutions, as well as commitments to promote sustainable agriculture on the continent.
An Islamist takeover of northern Mali in early 2012 led to an intervention by international and regional forces who repelled the al Qaeda-affiliated insurgents – a painful reminder to African leaders of their failure to implement their Standby Force.
Source: Reuters
