New African force to quell conflicts

What you need to know:

  • African states are expected to contribute troops to the squad, which will be placed in different locations on the continent to tackle emergencies and insurgencies.

A special force has been formed to help end conflicts across African countries.

The African Standby Force formed by the African Union Peace and Security Council will start work in December 2015 and will intervene in any grave circumstances.

According to deputy chairperson of the African Union Commission Erastus Mwencha, the commission is expediting the operationalisation of the rapid deployment unit.

“The force will help member states to deal with terrorist attacks and political conflicts as well as in peace missions,” Mr Mwencha said.

He said the formation of the fource comes at a time when Africa continues to face hunger, genocide and crimes against humanity, extremism and war crimes.

CONTRIBUTE TROOPS

African states are expected to contribute troops to the squad, which will be placed in different locations on the continent to tackle emergencies and insurgencies.

He was speaking to a delegation of African intelligence chiefs who are meeting in Nairobi under the auspice of the Committee of Intelligence and Security Services of Africa.

The meeting attracted more than 500 delegates from 52 African states and are discussing how to enhance intelligence cooperation and coordination at the wake of radicalisation and extremism in the continent.

The meeting was opened by Deputy President William Ruto, who urged African heads of intelligence to cooperate and share intelligence so that they can fight terrorism together.

“War, radicalisation and terrorism are our common enemy; when they affect one country, the whole continent suffers. We cannot watch these sabotage our economic growth,” Mr Ruto said.