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Daily Maverick
07-05-2025
- Politics
- Daily Maverick
Global uncertainty calls for an overhaul of African Union peace support operations
US and likely European funding cuts call for peacekeeping that is focused, fast and modest in its ambition. The US intends to significantly reduce its contributions to the United Nations (UN), including a complete withdrawal of funding for peacekeeping operations, according to a recent Washington Post report. The decision must still be formalised by the State Department and approved by Congress, but it's an ominous sign of what may lie ahead for both UN and African Union-led peace support operations (PSOs). This includes the new AU Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (Aussom), which already faces major funding uncertainties. While the European Union (EU) is still committed to multilateralism, its growing focus on the war in Ukraine may lead to a decline in assistance for PSOs in Africa and elsewhere. The changing multilateral context and resource constraints require innovative thinking from the AU and its member states. Not only are PSOs beyond the financial capabilities of African countries and regional organisations, but traditional partners are growing reluctant to fund an instrument that struggles to demonstrate its efficiency. In recent years, laudable efforts have been made to meet the AU Peace Fund's endowment target of $400-million, but using the income for PSOs such as Aussom would deplete it. Despite some Western partners committing to support the Peace Fund once it starts financing AU-led operations, the sheer number of conflict hotspots across Africa casts doubt on the sustainability of that option. Reimagining PSOs – particularly their conflict management role – starts with acknowledging that they are just a means to an end, namely the peaceful resolution of violent conflicts, as articulated in the AU's normative frameworks. Peace missions are not meant to last for decades. As often reiterated since the 2015 UN High-level Independent Panel on Peace Operations report, peacekeeping should be informed by a political strategy grounded in a measured understanding of what these operations can realistically achieve. To improve future funding prospects, peacekeeping should focus on visible impact and realistic results. AU-led missions can, for example, help to stabilise conflict environments and create the conditions for political dialogue. They can also support the implementation of political agreements. One of the most important lessons of multidimensional peace operations is that the instrument is not fit for long-term endeavours such as state building or fostering societal cohesion. These are inherently endogenous processes. Clarity of purpose and modest ambition must become the guiding principles of a redefined peace support model. This new model should blend various existing approaches, guided by the spirit of the Powell Doctrine. In a 1984 speech on the use of military power, then US Defence Secretary Caspar Weinberger set out criteria that would inform what is today known as the Powell Doctrine, named after late Chief of Joint Staff General Colin Powell. These criteria included a clearly defined vital interest, a firm intention to win, proportionality between objectives and military means, support from the public and Congress, and the use of force as a last resort. In the context of African PSOs, the new model could rest on four key principles: clear and limited mandates, time-bound deployment, selective criteria for troop-contributing countries, and multidisciplinary deployments. First, it is vital to have political and military clarity on the mission's objectives. The scope of the mandate should be limited to a maximum of three core objectives, primarily within the political and security domains. Second, each mission should be subject to a clearly defined and non-renewable timeframe. This is essential to avoid the risks of institutional inertia that often arise in protracted deployments. Third, the AU should consider adopting a middle-ground position between the North Atlantic Treaty Organization's framework nations concept and the current AU lead-nation approach. It is important that capable African countries be given more responsibilities in leading missions, supported by no more than two additional contributing countries. This streamlined approach would help address some of the persistent command and control challenges that often undermine the effectiveness of AU-led missions, including Aussom. Also, states sharing a border with crisis-affected countries should be excluded from participating in the operation to avoid conflicts of interest and safeguard the mission's credibility and neutrality. The fourth principle is to avoid an overly militarised approach to peace operations. Many security challenges – such as protecting civilians – require police-led rather than military responses. Future missions should be genuinely multidisciplinary, demand-driven and tailored to the needs of each situation. A reimagined PSO model should be based on the rationale of acting swiftly, forcefully if necessary, and withdrawing as soon as conditions permit – leaving the space for a sustainable political process. Strengthening the political dimension of these operations is vital. Prolonged peacekeeping missions often result from the failure of internal and external stakeholders to develop political solutions that would render peacekeeping unnecessary. The AU's main value lies in its political and diplomatic legitimacy. That means it should enhance the capacity of its political units and diplomatic instruments both within and beyond PSOs. While the AU Peace and Security Council's primary function should be to prevent conflicts from breaking out, it could help manage conflicts by developing accountability instruments such as a sanctions regime. Along with robust procedures for adopting and enforcing sanctions, this could pressure conflict parties towards dialogue and compliance with agreed frameworks. However, member states' resistance to sanctions remains strong despite the looming risk of another postponement of the 'Silencing the Guns by 2030' goal, which would significantly damage the AU's credibility. Substantial normative shifts are needed across the crisis management cycle of the AU and UN. Rather than just a facelift, this requires a complete rethink that reflects the ongoing transformation of the international order. A thorough overhaul of the African PSO concept is vital to reinvigorating the AU's Peace and Security Architecture and resolving the continent's enduring instability. DM Paul-Simon Handy, regional director East Africa and representative to the African Union, Institute for Security Studies (ISS) Addis Ababa, and Félicité Djilo, Independent Analyst, ISS.
Yahoo
17-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
US-Somali airstrike as battle rages for key town
The US and Somalia have carried out an airstrike against Islamist militants during a battle for control of a strategic central town, the government says. The "well-coordinated" strike on Adan Yabaal, north of the capital Mogadishu, came hours after al-Shabab raided the town which is used as a key launchpad for military operations. Among the 12 militants killed in the airstrike were several senior fighters from the al-Qaeda-linked group, the Somali information ministry said in a statement on X. The latest fighting comes amid fears of a jihadist resurgence in Somalia after growing militant attacks, including one that targeted President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud's convoy last month. Al-Shabab, which controls large parts of southern and central Somalia, has been fighting the government for nearly 20 years. It seeks to overthrow the federal government and establish an Islamist state. The African Union-led peacekeeping force helped push the jihadists onto the defensive in 2022 and 2023, but the group remains a big threat despite numerous military operations against it. The Somali government insists the group has been weakened. The airstrike late on Wednesday by Somali armed forces and the US Africa Command (Africom) "aimed to neutralize the threat posed" by militants, the information ministry said. "The targeted strike hit a site used by the militants as a gathering and hideout," it said, adding: "Importantly there were no civilian casualties." Adan Yabaal, in the Middle Shabelle region, was seized by al-Shabab in 2016 before being recaptured by government forces in 2022. Heavy fighting broke out early on Wednesday after al-Shabab fighters raided the town, using heavy explosives. Later the group said it had captured the town. Two local residents told AFP news agency that militants had taken control of Adan Yabaal. The government did not say who was currently in control of the town. President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud visited the town last month and met military commanders, underscoring its strategic significance in the fight against the militants. In a separate incident, the national army said it killed at least 35 fighters near the city of Baidoa on Thursday, after they attempted to attack an army base there, the ministry said. President Mohamud has downplayed the al-Shabab advances, saying that occasional battlefield setbacks were inevitable. He has maintained that his government was determined to defeat the militants. 'Jersey was my doctor after Somalia imprisonment' The men in sarongs taking on al-Shabab militants Outrage in Somalia after man says he married missing eight-year-old Why Trump is on the warpath in Somalia Go to for more news from the African continent. Follow us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica Africa Daily Focus on Africa
Yahoo
17-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
US-Somali airstrike as battle rages for key town
The US and Somalia have carried out an airstrike against Islamist militants during a battle for control of a strategic central town, the government says. The "well-coordinated" strike on Adan Yabaal, north of the capital Mogadishu, came hours after al-Shabab raided the town which is used as a key launchpad for military operations. Among the 12 militants killed in the airstrike were several senior fighters from the al-Qaeda-linked group, the Somali information ministry said in a statement on X. The latest fighting comes amid fears of a jihadist resurgence in Somalia after growing militant attacks, including one that targeted President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud's convoy last month. Al-Shabab, which controls large parts of southern and central Somalia, has been fighting the government for nearly 20 years. It seeks to overthrow the federal government and establish an Islamist state. The African Union-led peacekeeping force helped push the jihadists onto the defensive in 2022 and 2023, but the group remains a big threat despite numerous military operations against it. The Somali government insists the group has been weakened. The airstrike late on Wednesday by Somali armed forces and the US Africa Command (Africom) "aimed to neutralize the threat posed" by militants, the information ministry said. "The targeted strike hit a site used by the militants as a gathering and hideout," it said, adding: "Importantly there were no civilian casualties." Adan Yabaal, in the Middle Shabelle region, was seized by al-Shabab in 2016 before being recaptured by government forces in 2022. Heavy fighting broke out early on Wednesday after al-Shabab fighters raided the town, using heavy explosives. Later the group said it had captured the town. Two local residents told AFP news agency that militants had taken control of Adan Yabaal. The government did not say who was currently in control of the town. President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud visited the town last month and met military commanders, underscoring its strategic significance in the fight against the militants. In a separate incident, the national army said it killed at least 35 fighters near the city of Baidoa on Thursday, after they attempted to attack an army base there, the ministry said. President Mohamud has downplayed the al-Shabab advances, saying that occasional battlefield setbacks were inevitable. He has maintained that his government was determined to defeat the militants. 'Jersey was my doctor after Somalia imprisonment' The men in sarongs taking on al-Shabab militants Outrage in Somalia after man says he married missing eight-year-old Why Trump is on the warpath in Somalia Go to for more news from the African continent. Follow us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica Africa Daily Focus on Africa
BBC News
17-04-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Adan Yabaal fighting: Somali-US airstrike in battle with al-Shabab
The US and Somalia have carried out an airstrike against Islamist militants during a battle for control of a strategic central town, the government "well-coordinated" strike on Adan Yabaal, north of the capital Mogadishu, came hours after al-Shabab raided the town which is used as a key launchpad for military operations. Among the 12 militants killed in the airstrike were several senior fighters from the al-Qaeda-linked group, the Somali information ministry said in a statement on X. The latest fighting comes amid fears of a jihadist resurgence in Somalia after growing militant attacks, including one that targeted President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud's convoy last month. Al-Shabab, which controls large parts of southern and central Somalia, has been fighting the government for nearly 20 years. It seeks to overthrow the federal government and establish an Islamist state. The African Union-led peacekeeping force helped push the jihadists onto the defensive in 2022 and 2023, but the group remains a big threat despite numerous military operations against Somali government insists the group has been airstrike late on Wednesday by Somali armed forces and the US Africa Command (Africom) "aimed to neutralize the threat posed" by militants, the information ministry said. "The targeted strike hit a site used by the militants as a gathering and hideout," it said, adding: "Importantly there were no civilian casualties."Adan Yabaal, in the Middle Shabelle region, was seized by al-Shabab in 2016 before being recaptured by government forces in fighting broke out early on Wednesday after al-Shabab fighters raided the town, using heavy explosives. Later the group said it had captured the town. Two local residents told AFP news agency that militants had taken control of Adan Yabaal. The government did not say who was currently in control of the town. President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud visited the town last month and met military commanders, underscoring its strategic significance in the fight against the a separate incident, the national army said it killed at least 35 fighters near the city of Baidoa on Thursday, after they attempted to attack an army base there, the ministry Mohamud has downplayed the al-Shabab advances, saying that occasional battlefield setbacks were inevitable. He has maintained that his government was determined to defeat the militants. More BBC stories on Somalia: 'Jersey was my doctor after Somalia imprisonment'The men in sarongs taking on al-Shabab militantsOutrage in Somalia after man says he married missing eight-year-oldWhy Trump is on the warpath in Somalia Go to for more news from the African us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica
Daily Tribune
17-04-2025
- Politics
- Daily Tribune
Somali-US air strike kills 12 militants: information ministry
Somali and US forces carried out an air strike on an area under attack from the Al-Shabaab Islamist group and killed 12 militants, the Somali government said on Thursday. The strike on Adan Yabaal, 220 kilometres (140 miles) north of the capital Mogadishu came as Al-Shabaab fighters raided the key town used as a base by Somali military commanders. Growing attacks by the Al-Qaeda-linked group, including one on President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud's convoy, are fuelling worries of a jihadist resurgence after militants were forced back in recent years. The strike on Wednesday night by Somali armed forces and the US Africa Command "aimed to neutralize the threat posed" by Al Shabaab, the information ministry said in a statement posted on X. "The targeted strike hit a site used by the militants as a gathering and hideout," it said. "Preliminary reports indicate that including senior leaders, were eliminated." Somali government forces took control of Adan Yabaal from Al-Shabaab in December 2022 during the major offensive backed by African Union peacekeeping forces. On Wednesday, Al-Shabaab launched a dawn raid on the town, with bombs loaded on trucks detonating before militants fought their way into the town, a military official said. The official said the army was getting reinforcements from nearby positions to defend the town, but Al-Shabaab claimed its fighters had overrun the Somalia military and controlled Adan Yabaal. AFP was unable to confirm those claims. Two local residents told AFP that militants had taken Adan Yabaal. The president had visited the town recently, with state media reporting he had met with military commanders to review the ongoing military offensive against Al-Shabaab. In the southwest, Somali forces and allies killed 35 militants around Baidoa town in the early hours of Thursday, after they attempted to attack an army base there, the ministry said. Earlier this month, Al-Shabaab fired multiple mortar rounds near Mogadishu's airport, disrupting international flights. Halane camp -- a fortified compound that houses the United Nations, aid agencies, foreign missions and the headquarters of the African Union's Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) -- was also targeted. The group has seized key locations in Middle and Lower Shabelle, coastal regions on either side of Mogadishu. A bomb blast that narrowly missed the convoy of President Mohamud in March underscored that Al-Shabaab again poses a risk in the capital itself. Al-Shabaab has been fighting the government for 15 years, but the African Union-led peacekeeping force helped push the jihadists onto the defensive in 2022 and 2023.
