An African army for Africans?

[Ayinde]

As the third annual summit of the African Union draws closer, the spotlight is falling on the organisation’s newest branch: the Peace and Security Council, and its proposed standby force.

Inaugurated in May at the AU headquarters in Ethiopia, the 15-member council will be advised by a panel comprising five Africans of repute. Analysts hope the council –- which still has to be ratified by a majority of AU members –- will prove a more powerful and efficient agency than other bodies set up to resolve the continent’s woes.

The council aims to provide a "timely and efficient response to conflict and crisis situations" on the continent, such as unconstitutional changes of government, humanitarian and natural disasters.

Inevitably, questions have been raised about funding for the standby force that will give council the muscle it needs to contain such situations.

According to Kondwane Chirambo of the Institute for Democracy in South Africa (Idasa), trans-continental peace-keeping operations have shown themselves to be financially demanding and politically delicate. And, some have fallen short of the demands placed on them. (Idasa is a think tank based in South Africa’s capital, Pretoria.)

Full story: http://www.mg.co.za/Content/l3.asp?ao=118225

[OlOrisa_Olokun]

Africa with an African army worries me.

• african nations have too many coups.
  
• many african nations are more worried about killing over access to white corporations than securing african longevity.
  
• few, very few nations in africa are capable of nonbias regulation of other countries - without drawing on white opinion.
  

[ptaured7]

 I agree with iyawo_Olokuni - This sounds too much like the evolving international strike force of the "United Nations".  So many of these terrible wars in Africa are manipulated proxy phenomenon with major advanced pre-planning.  Unfortunately, Sudan is probably one of these.
what to do is another matter......

[iyah360]

Africa with an African army worries me.

• african nations have too many coups.
  
• many african nations are more worried about killing over access to white corporations than securing african longevity.
  
• few, very few nations in africa are capable of nonbias regulation of other countries - without drawing on white opinion.
  

yes it is interesting how this is unfolding - the A.U. is gaining momentum and all of a sudden Sudan is in the sights of the U.S. I had raised a question about the A.U. a while back and wondered if it were just a happy cover for who is really controlling the enterprise. If Africa is not controlled internally, any ruse such as the A.U. is a liberal smokescreen for the fact that the international monied interests are running the show. Last I checked Africa was in debt to its eyeballs - there is no way the "powers that be" are going to allow sovereignty without a SERIOUS SERIOUS fight. Africa is going to have to TAKE its sovereignty, it will not be granted.

[ptaured7]

One hopes the taking is "positive action".  Massive coordinated non cooperation backed by food security and domestic food production perhaps.  Perpetual food aid and distorted ag economy renders weak bargaining position.