The Implementation of the Responsibility to Protect (R2P) Norms by the African Standby Force in Sub-Saharan Africa

reportActive / Technical Report | Accession Number: AD1038733 | Open PDF

Abstract:

In 2005, the United Nations adopted the Responsibility to Protect R2P to allow international intervention to protect civilians against genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity. This concept constituted hope for the African continent, which has the biggest number of the armed conflicts compared to other continents. Article 4h of the AU Constitutive Act mandates the African Union to forcefully intervene to stop grave breaches of international law. The establishment of the African Standby Force ASF in 2003 equips the African continent to implement the R2P concept. The African Union had success in the DRC, but had mitigated successes in Darfur and Somalia. However, the operationalization of the ASF has been slow due to lack of required financial and logistical capabilities. As a result, the AU was unable to activate the ASF to intervene in the destructive war in Mali. Consequently, some African states created the African Capacity for Immediate Response to Conflicts ACIRC as a stopgap while the ASF continues to being built. ACIRC has the same mission as the ASF, but allows states to finance and equip this force themselves. The ACIRC constitutes a duplication of efforts, but would benefit operationalization of ASF in implementation of R2P.

Author(s):
Hodali, Augustin
Author Organization(s):
US Army Command and General Staff College Fort Leavenworth United States
Descriptive Note:
Technical Report,08 Aug 2016,09 Jun 2017
Pagination:
0091

Security Markings

DOCUMENT & CONTEXTUAL SUMMARY

Distribution:
Approved For Public Release
Distribution Statement:
Approved For Public Release;

RECORD

Collection: TR
Identifying Numbers
Report Number(s):
ATZL-SWD-GD
 Subject Terms
Joint Capability Areas:
JCA_5_Command and Control; JCA_8_Building Partnerships; JCA_5.3_Planning; JCA_8.2_Shape; JCA_1_Force Support; JCA_8.2.4_Leverage Capacities and Capabilities of Security Establishments; JCA_1.1_Force Management; JCA_5.3.1_Analyze Problem; JCA_1.2_Force Preparation; JCA_5.3.2_Apply Situational Understanding; JCA_8.2.1_Partner with Governments and Institutions; JCA_5.3.3_Develop Strategy; JCA_8.2.2_Provide Aid to Foreign Partners and Institutions; JCA_5.3.4_Develop Courses of Action; JCA_5.3.5_Analyze Courses of Action; JCA_8.1_Communicate; JCA_8.2.3_Build the Capabilities and Capacities of Partners and Institutions; JCA_8.1.1_Inform Domestic and Foreign Audiences; JCA_5.6.3_Assess Achievement of Objectives; JCA_5.6_Monitor; JCA_1.2.3_Educating
Modernization Areas:
Fully Networked C3
Communities of Interest:
Ground and Sea Platforms
Descriptor(s):
International law, SUBSAHARAN AFRICA, HUMAN RIGHTS, conflict, Genocide, intergovernmental organizations, international relations
Field(s)/Group(s):
Sociology and Law, Government and Political Science
Keyword(s):
r2p(Responsibility to protect), African Standby Force, Intervention, war crimes
Report Date:
2017 Jun 09
Creation Date:
2017 Nov 14