African Standby Capacity (ASC) Coordination Meeting

The ECOWAS Commission, in collaboration with the African Union Commission (AUC) and with the support of the African Centre for the Constructive Resolution of Disputes (ACCORD), organized the 11th African Standby Capacity (ASC) Coordination Meeting in Dakar, Senegal, from 15 to 19 July 2024.

In line with the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on cooperation in the Areas of Peace and Security between the AU and the Regional Economic Communities/Regional Communities (RECs/RMs), the ASC Annual coordination meeting is held based on the need to enhance relationships with the RECs/RMs and promote information exchange regarding the generation and preparation of civilian capacities of the African Standby Force. Additionally, it enhances the standardization of generating and training of civilian capabilities of the ASF. The annual coordination meeting began in 2013 and has been held on a rotational basis between the AUC and RECs/RMs.

The Representative of the AUC, Mr Eustace Chiwombe, Chief of the Capability Development Unit (CDU) in the AUC Peace Support Operations Division welcomed the participants to the meeting and stated that the annual coordination meeting serves as an avenue to access the progress that has been made in generating and training civilian capabilities for the ASF. The ASC roster is meant to be a tool for the generation of civilian capability within the shortest possible time for deployment into a Peace Support Operations Mission.

In declaring the meeting opened, the ECOWAS representative, Mr Bekaye Coulibaly, Head of the Civilian Component noted the need to open a conversation on issues around the deployability of the ASF to combat terrorism, the health pandemic, and other emerging security challenges on the continent. Additionally, he called for efforts to enhance the interoperability of the Regional Standby Forces. He urged for discussions on conducting inter-regional exercises and on common security challenges confronting the regions.

The meeting ended on 19 July 2024.