The blue berets representing UN Peacekeeping arrive in
Mali, ahead of the official launch of the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA). The African-led International Support Mission in Mali
(AFISMA) is handing over its command to MINUSMA on 1
July 2013.
30 June 2013, Timbuktu, Mali, UN Photo # 554669
troops in support of AFISMA. The military operations by the
French and AFISMA succeeded in re-securing northern Mali,
causing the total withdraw of Islamic rebels from the northern
region.
22 European nations from the European Union Training
Mission in Mali (EUTM Mali) are engaged in supporting and
supplying military personnel in support of AFISMA’s mission
in Mali.17 The EU provided training and advising support to
AFISMA’s troop contributing countries (TCCs) on command
and control, tactics and logistics. French and AFISMA anti-terrorism operations were able to restore the territorial integrity,
peace and security in Mali. In April 2013, the UN Security
Council established the United Nations Multidimensional
Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA), which
assumed the AFISMA mission.18
AFISMA was the first military operation which employed the
African Standby Force framework.19 The sub-regional organization, ECOWAS, showed political initiative in employing the
regional standby force framework to conduct multinational
operation.20
AU-led Force counter Boko Haram
The AU established an AU-led multinational force of 7,500
personnel to counter Boko Haram in the Sahel area of West
Africa on January 25, 2015. Once this mission is launched, it
will become the third anti-terrorism peace operation deployed
18
to restore the peace and security in Africa. With the expansion
and intensification of Boko Haram’s attacks, the government
of Cameroon requested military intervention from Chad.
Chad’s troop deployed to the northern area of Nigeria as well
as to Cameroon to eliminate the influence of Boko Haram.21
To date, Cameroon, Chad and Niger are carrying out military
operations against Boko Haram based on bilateral agreements
with the government of Nigeria. Cameroon deployed several
brigades along the border with Nigeria, and a 700 strong force
is dedicated to direct engagement with Boko Haram to eliminate the remaining elements.22 The UN welcomed the Chadian
intervention and approved military interventions against Boko
Haram by neighboring countries.23 Boko Haram has not affected Nigeria. The deteriorating security situation encouraged AU
to hasten the establishment of a multi-national force. The countries that provided the bulk of the AU forces were Chad, Cameroon, Niger, Nigeria and Benin, all of which will fall under the
operational control of the unified AU force headquarters.24
Funding and logistics issues are significant problems for the AUled force in anti-terrorism operations. These shortcomings make
the initial deployment and sustainability of troops very difficult.
The AU has to secure funding for military operation for at least
the initial 6 months.25 Furthermore, technical issues like intelligence, communication and transportation will require additional funding which creates other challenges for the AU planner.
The growing threat of terrorism and the implementation of
AMISOM and AFISMA highlights the challenges of operationalizing and institutionalizing the African Standby Force.
Expanding Role of UNPKO and PSO into AntiTerrorism Operations
Effectiveness of African Standby Force (ASF)
The need for the AU to adopt a military structure is well recognized from the perspective of regional security; however there
has been little progress due to the funding issue. Even if the AU
adopts a military structure, it does not mean the AU will be able
to form a military headquarters by itself. The African Standby
Force (ASF) is made up of five Regional Standby Forces (RSF).
The RSFs are aligned into five regions: North, East, West,
Central and South. Each RSF consists of troops from multiple
member states. RSFs are largely disparate in regard to institutionalizing a standard Headquarters and logistic bases (LOGBAS) structure and function, the effectiveness of operational
capabilities and facilities, and the maturity of military troops
and equipment.
ASF operational challenges include the shortfalls of funding,
the military capability of member states, and the lack of subject
matter expertise. The most institutionalized standby forces are