AFRICA - African Union inaugurates new Council for Peace and Security charged with promoting peace on the continent

Tuesday, 25 May 2004

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Rome (Fides Service)- On May 24 in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa, the UA, African Union which replaced the Organisation for African Unity in 2002, inaugurated its new Council for Peace and Security.
The council's objective will be to work towards a common defence policy and develop a united defence force. The Council may send military missions to countries in situations of conflict and recommend the UA to deploy a peace force in member countries in the case of genocide, war crimes or crimes against humanity.
The UA Council for Peace and Security has 15 members delegated by the heads of state and government of the UA countries. 10 of the members have a two year term and 5 have a three year term. There is no right to veto. The duties of the Council are: promote peace, security and stability in Africa, anticipate and prevent conflicts, elaborate a common policy of defence.
The Council will also command an African Standby Force expected to begin deploying about 15,000 troops by 2005. It will have a peace-building and humanitarian role, and may intervene unilaterally in the event of "war crimes, genocide and crimes against humanity, as well as a serious threat to legitimate order.
(L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 25/5/2004, righe 21 parole 222)