International relations experts expect more from AU PSC 

International relations experts expect more from AU PSC

Empowerment

By Busayo Onijala

Lagos, June 18, 2024 (NAN) International relations experts have called for  empowerment of the African Union’s Peace and Security Council (AU PSC) to enable it to surpass its achievements in the last 20 years of establishment.

They made the call in interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Lagos.

NAN reports that 2024 marks the 20th anniversary of the AU PSC.

The PSC, launched in 2004, is the decision-making organ of the AU for the prevention, management and resolution of conflicts.

It aims to promote durable peace and security in Africa through inclusive and smart partnerships, and preventive diplomacy.

Prof. Femi Otubanjo, a researcher at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), said the PSC had been active in making peace in South Sudan, the Great Lake regions, and between Rwanda, Uganda and Congo DR.

Otubanjo, however, said that  the council did not have  great results to show for its efforts.

He said that the council would  need to improve its commitment to peacekeeping and peace management in Africa.

Also, Prof. Joshua Bolarinwa, Head, Security and Strategic Studies Division of NIIA, lauded some of the achievements of the council, but said that they were not highly significant considering  visible conflicts and problems  in Africa.

Bolarinwa, who is  a member of the AU Network of Think Tanks for Peace (NeTT4Peace) Strategy Group, said  that the council members had moved forward in terms of policies, theories and frameworks.

“They have been doing their best to make sure elections are done the right way and democracy is better protected and sustained,” he said.

He, however, noted that in recent years, there had been regressions to democracy in Africa with the resurgence of coups and return to military rule by some nations.

Bolarinwa said that the council was still looking into the situation.

According to him, the PSC  is making progress but  there are  challenges and more work in store for it.

The  News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that AU PSC has made efforts in deploying peace support operations  to stabilise fragile regions, protect civilians and prevent escalation of situations.

Some of such operations include the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia and the Africa-led International Support Mission to the Central African Republic. (NAN) www.nannews.ng

OMB/VE/IGO

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Edited by Victor Adeoti