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AU Security Council

Daily Champion (Lagos)
EDITORIAL
June 2, 2004
Posted to the web June 3, 2004
Lagos
THE inauguration by the African Union (AU) of a Peace and Security Council
(PSC) has once more underscored Africa's determination to significantly reduce
conflicts in the continent as a precusor to rapid socio-economic development.
With the coming into force of the protocol establishing the PSC, the organ is
expected to immediately commence its statutory functions as the continent's
police and trouble shooter. It is statutorily charged with the tasks of peace
making, authorising deployment of peace missions, recommending intervention,
instituting sanctions in the case of an unconstitutional change of government,
implementation of the AU's common defence policy and the initiation of action
where a member's independence is threatened by acts of aggression.
The 15-member Council, closely modelled after the United Nations Security
Council, is to be assisted by a Panel of the Wise, Continental Early Warning
System, the African Standy Force and is to be run with a Special Fund known as
the Peace Fund.
On the face of it, the Council, has all it takes to effectively carry out its
tasks. The foresight and spirit behind its coming into being is therefore
commendable. It is indeed a worthy project and so far one of Africa's boldest
efforts at taking its destiny into its hands in the area of ensuring
significant reduction of conflicts and the attendant under-development.
These, however, do not rule out widespread scepticism and fears as to the
capacity of the PSC to function effectively. In fact, the consensus is that the
real test of the Council will naturally lie in its ability to prove that it
could translate what is on paper into tangible, profitable actions towards
sustaining peace in the continent.
The enthusiasm that greeted its coming into being is also being dampened by
concerns that certain factors inherent in its structure as well as the peculiar
problems that ensured the ineffectiveness of the Organisation of African Unity
(OAU), will haunt and paralyse the AU and by extension, the Council.
One of these envisaged problems is that of funding. Paucity of funds disabled
the now-rested OAU and caused most of its lofty dreams to remain just that.
There are no clear indications that the AU and its Security Council will fare
any better.
Added to this is the issue of the acceptability and potency of orders from the
Council judging by the well-known tendency of African countries to ignore
rulings and pronouncements from supranational bodies and organisations.
The other grave problem the council will likely face is the undue domination by
a few powerful members. The preponderance of weak and poor nations in Africa
seems set to hamper efforts at creating a much-needed balance of strength in
the council.
Also a potential sore point is the issue of 10 members forming a quorum and the
possibility of decisions being taken by just seven members in grave conflict
situations. This might pose problems of acceptability.
There are also fears over the effect of colonial attachment and loyalty on
council members especially in situations where their erstwhile colonial masters
are directly or indirectly involved or interested in the outcome of a conflict.
The interface between the Council and regional security bodies is also an issue
of concern with AU's insistence on subjecting these regional conflict
management mechanisms to the authority of the council.
With these numerous weak points, it appears as if the architects of the council
needs to revisit certain articles in the protocol establishing it with a view
to strengthening it and ensuring a balance of power and acceptability of its
decisions.
Equally needed is a means of ensuring adequate and ready funding for the
council. The present arrangement for funding leaves much to be desired since
some of the means of raising the funds may pose a moral dilemma and are not
sure, reliable sources.
The council might also want to learn from the many shortcomings of the UN
Security Council after which it is modelled. This would ensure it avoids most
of the worrisome pitfalls that have rendered the UN Council a willing tool in
the hands of powerful, manipulative and selfish nations.
Above all, the council and AU should dwell more on the area of conflict
prevention. The emphasis should be on activating instruments and mechanisms
that will promote good governance, democracy, transparency, equity and human
development in Africa. That way, conflicts will rarely arise and when they do,
they will not assume the bestial and prolonged dimension we have seen in recent
years.
We posit that lack of emphasis on prevention will leave an unmanageable
situation for the Council at all times, as numerous conflicts in the continent
will stretch its near non-existent resources and personnel thin. This is a sure
recipe for failure.

   

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