NARC’s Executive Secretary participated, Thursday, 11th of May 2023, in the 18th Ordinary Session of the Chiefs of Defense Staff and heads of African Safety and Security Services, held at the Nelson Mandela Hall at the headquarters of the African Union Commission in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
NARC’s Executive Secretary is accompanied by head of the Planning Element and the Liaison Officer to the African Union at these annual meetings, which discuss in particular issues of the African Standby Force, and peace and security on the African continent in general.
Heads of Defense Staff and African Safety and Security Services discussed the experts ‘ report and the draft outcomes of the meeting of the Heads of Defense Staff and heads of African Safety and Security Services.
STCDSS held its meetings over two days, 9th and 10th of May 2023, at the experts level, during which it addressed issues on its agenda such as; the report of Chairperson of the African Union Commission, which deals with the Commission’s efforts to strengthen the African Standby Force, and the African Union’s Peace Support Operations to address conflicts, terrorism, violent extremism, and peace and security challenges facing the continent.
Among the files presented to this session are Memorandum of Understanding between the African Union and RECs/RMs regarding the African Standby Force, as well as the draft African Union Strategic Framework for Compliance and Accountability in Peace and Security Support Operation, and the draft African Union Policies on Selection, Screening and Protection of Civilians.
The agenda items also include studying outcomes of the workshop reviewing the concept of the African Standby Force, as well as the proposal for the Continental Maritime Exercise, Amani Africa 3.
It is to be noted that the STCDSS is among the specialized technical committees of the African Union concerned with peace and security. It consists of ministers of defense and security of AU member states, in addition to RECs/RMs. It convenes annually at the level of experts, then chiefs of staff and ministers of defense and security.