The Deputy Chairperson of the African Union Commission Mr Erastus Mwencha says the African Union is engaged in a number of security related activities, and is increasingly broadening its range in order to solve new challenges. All this is done within the framework of achieving the overall objective of the African Union, i.e. development and integration. Mr Mwencha said this when he met Ambassador William Bellamy (rtd) of the African Center for Strategic Studies (ACSS) in his office at the AU Commission on 2nd February 2011.
Mr Mwencha said currently, the AU is engaged in the prevention and management of conflict as well as post conflict reconstruction and development. The AU’s interventions in Somalia, Sudan, Comoros and other areas are well documented, as are its efforts to stave off conflict using various institutional mechanisms. However, there are many other security related issues that the AU has either started being involved in, or in which it will have to get involved in the future.
Anti piracy initiatives, for example, are already being seriously considered. “The cost of shipping has gone up as ships try to avoid pirates” off the Somali coast and this is a big challenge, Mr Mwencha said, while acknowledging the ongoing collaboration between the AU and the ACSS to fight piracy. A workshop hosted by the ACSS in Dar Es Salaam last year produced a template for developing maritime security strategies and the two organizations are looking forward to building on this work.
Climate change was also highlighted as an issue with security implications and whose effects have already started to be felt. The AU is heavily involved in crafting and promoting Africa’s Common Position on this issue, having been the African interlocutor in both Copenhagen and Cancun. The organisation occupies a similar central role in preparations for the Durban COP 17 conference to be held in December this year.
Other issues raised for possible collaboration between the AU and ACSS include fisheries, civil- military relations, use of nuclear energy, security sector reform and counter terrorism.
Looking ahead, the meeting between Mr Mwencha and Ambassador Bellamy identified nuclear non proliferation and space science as issues that, though not so prominent in Africa at present, will be important in future. “So preparedness is necessary”, observed the Deputy Chairperson. Mr Bellamy concurred, saying that “perhaps it’s time to start dialogue” on such issues.
The discussions on security issues between Mr Mwencha and Ambassador Bellamy were within the context of an expressed desire by the ACSS to work more closely with the AU, and within the AU’s priority areas. “If the AU attaches priority to certain issues, then we are happy to shape our own strategies on the AU priorities”, said Mr Bellamy.
The ACSS supports the development of United States policy towards Africa through academic programmes that foster dialogue about global strategic issues. It builds networks with African military and civilian leaders and assists US policy makers in formulating effective policy and articulating African perspectives to US policy makers.
