African defense ministers, security officials to meet on continental concerns: AU
African ministers of defense, army chiefs of staff and heads of safety and security are set to convene a high-level continental meeting later this week on priority continental peace and security issues, the African Union (AU) Commission said.
The 55-member pan African bloc, in a statement issued on Tuesday, announced that the meeting will be held as part of the upcoming 12th Ordinary Meeting of the Specialized Technical Committee on Defense, Safety and Security (STCDSS), slated for Dec. 19.
The high-level continental meeting is expected to “consider and reflect on matters of peace and security with a view to providing policy directives, including on the development of the African Standby Force (ASF) and the Rapid Deployment Capability,” it was noted.
Participants attending the meeting are also expected to discuss on the successful implementation of the African Standby Force and the Rapid Deployment Capability by the 55 AU members, regional economic communities as well as Regional Mechanisms for Conflict Prevention, Management and Resolution, according to the AU.
“The STCDSS meeting is aimed at contributing towards a peaceful and stable Africa in line with Agenda 2063,” the AU said, adding that it would also provide guidance on ongoing continental efforts on the promotion of peace, security and stability in Africa.
The AU also stressed that African defense and security-sector officials are also “expected to come out with tangible proposals on the advancement of peace and security in the continent, including on the implementation of the theme of “Silencing the Guns” in the course of the year 2020.”
