Regional Coordination of Peace and Security in Africa
Project description
Title: Regional coordination of peace and security in Africa
Commissioned by: German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ)
Country: Africa, supraregional
Overall term: 2005 to 2015
Context
The German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) has been supporting the development of the African Peace and Security Architecture (APSA) in a variety of ways since 2005. In 2008, the Federal Foreign Office also launched extensive support measures. Most of the German Government's projects and programmes are being implemented by GIZ, in cooperation with the African Union (AU), and various regional African organisations and training centres. Their primary tasks are to establish continental and regional conflict early warning systems, develop conflict mediation capacities and provide civilian and police support to the African Standby Force (ASF).
KfW development bank has similarly been charged with implementing two projects in support of the African Peace and Security Architecture. These focus on reconstruction in post-conflict countries. In addition, the German Government funds around 20 per cent of the European Union's extensive support for peace and security in Africa. With so many partners and donors involved, it is essential to ensure a high degree of coordination. Only then can the German Government's contribution underpin the development of a strong and united African Peace and Security Architecture. The ‘Regional coordination of peace and security in Africa’ project implemented by GIZ contributes to that cohesion.
Objective
The support provided by German development cooperation for the African Peace and Security Architecture is coherent, effective and visible.
Approach
The GIZ project advises BMZ on strategy development, public relations and thematic positioning in inter-agency and international processes. It also maintains a network of all GIZ projects and programmes that are assisting the AU and the African regional economic communities (RECs) in establishing the APSA. The project processes and makes available information, knowledge and expertise, and promotes cooperation between the various projects, programmes and organisations in Germany and abroad.
The results of the German activities to develop APSA instruments will be monitored over the long term, as will the interventions of the AU and the regional economic communities that use these instruments in conflict countries.
The project has published two reports in cooperation with the research institute, the European Centre for Development Policy Management. As well as information on the current status of specific instruments of the Peace and Security Architecture, the reports provide a general overview of the extent and the impacts of interventions by the AU and RECs in Africa’s conflict-affected countries for the period 2008-2013.
Results
The German contribution to the APSA is gaining greater recognition internationally and among African partner organisations. This is largely due to our close involvement at various levels in the Architecture, and the intensive interaction between the different levels. Continental and regional conflict early warning systems that share data and help underpin policy decisions are now in place, and mediating structures have been set up in the Southern African Development Community (SADC). The civil and police components of the ASF are being strengthened with the development of a networked database of qualified civilian specialists who can be deployed in African peace missions.