ASF Case Study

Analyzing the capabilities and progress of the ASF in relation to its challenges, once the force is fielded in a peacekeeping mission. The force will be inadequate in terms of strength to carry out a peacekeeping mission in scenario five and six. These two scenarios require a robust force, well equipped, and logistically supported to protect the mission against spoilers. In addition, the operating environment is complex, because of intrastate conflicts with many warring factions. Such conflicts pose a challenging situation to peacekeepers, due to numerous spoilers and warring functions involved in the conflict. The current conflicts in the African continent involve numerous warring factions or non-state actors, and the number of these groups
Therefore, basing only on training the ASF has undergone without considering logistics in place, the force will not be able to sustain its operations when deployed. Another crucial strategic setback of the ASF is shared commitment, willingness, and consensus of African leaders for the interests of the continent. The ASF will not be effective when there is political differences or solidarity based on self-serving interests among African leaders. There are political differences among the African leaders internally in RECs/RMs and the AU member states in general. Thus, these political differences lead to lack of commitment, consensus, and reluctant to implement the AU or RECs/RMs decisions. For example, on 17 December 2015, the AU PSC authorized 5,000-strong African prevention and protection mission in Burundi (MAPROBU) to protect civilians and prevent security crisis in Burundi, following a failed attempted coup. However, the AU PSC decision was not endorsed by the African Heads of States and the Governments after Burundi government rejected the AU PSC decision to deploy the AU force. The African leaders were divided on the decision, some supporting and many against the decision. Eventually, it led to inaction of the AU in resolving Burundi crisis. Therefore, absence of shared commitment and consensus to resolve Burundi crisis among African leaders demonstrate political differences among the leaders and weak decision making
To operationalize the ASF requires financial independence of the continental body and the regions. The ASF will not be effective when it depends on external support. The EU, the USA, and Europe countries have supported the AU activities in terms of finance, training, and other logistical support. For instance, the AU has authorized several deployments of peacekeepers such as Burundi (AMIB), Comoros (AMISEC), Sudan (AMIS), and Somalia (AMISOM), however, survivability and sustainability of all these peacekeeping missions always rely on external support. Therefore, financial independence of the AU and RECs/RMS hampers the capability of the ASF. There is a need for the AU and RECs/RMs to secure resources for military materials and infrastructures to enhance the ASF equipment and logistical