The African Standby Force

This research paper by the Institute for Security Studies provides an update on the operationalisation of the African Standby Force (ASF), a multidisciplinary force designed for rapid deployment in peace support operations across Africa. While the AU has made progress in developing doctrine, training policies, and standard operating procedures, the document highlights significant hurdles in logistics, AU-level leadership capacity, and sustainable financing.

• The African Standby Force (ASF) is designed as a multidisciplinary force consisting of military, civilian police, and civilian components located in their countries of origin, intended for rapid deployment across Africa and potentially beyond.
• The ASF operational structure is based on six conflict scenarios with varying deployment timelines, ranging from 14 days for urgent interventions in genocide situations to 90 days for complex multidimensional peacekeeping missions.
• The AU has failed to fully meet its phase one milestones by June 30, 2006, and is unlikely to meet phase two targets by June 30, 2010, without increased member state capacity and stronger AU leadership.
• Logistics remains a critical weakness for the ASF, with significant challenges regarding the location of depots, equipment procurement, and the need for strategic sea- and airlift capabilities.
• There is an emerging international acceptance that the AU can deploy forces in advance of the UN to create conditions for a subsequent UN multi-dimensional peace support operation.
• The AU suffers from a severe lack of leadership and management capacity at the strategic level, specifically within the AU Planning Element (PLANELM), which has remained understaffed for several years.
• The ASF relies heavily on external funding, particularly from the European Union's Africa Peace Facility, which provided nearly €300 million by 2006, as the AU has not yet implemented member-state cost-allocation for missions.
• A proposed Rapid Deployment Capability (RDC) aims to deploy 1,000 personnel within 14 days and a further 1,500 within the following 14 days, though agreement on its command and control remains elusive.
• Regional progress is uneven: West Africa (ECOWAS) and Southern Africa (SADC) have made substantial progress, while Eastern Africa was delayed by the lack of a regional mechanism, and Central Africa (ECCAS) faces chronic resource shortages.
• The document notes a 'donor scramble' where international partners fund training institutions as a politically attractive entry point, often leading to uncoordinated efforts and a potential erosion of African ownership.

APA

Cilliers, J. (2008). The African Standby Force. Institute for Security Studies. https://issafrica.s3.amazonaws.com/site/uploads/Paper160.pdf

Chicago

Cilliers, Jakkie. The African Standby Force. Institute for Security Studies, 2008. https://issafrica.s3.amazonaws.com/site/uploads/Paper160.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Cilliers |first1=Jakkie |title=The African Standby Force |publisher=Institute for Security Studies |date=March 2008 |url=https://issafrica.s3.amazonaws.com/site/uploads/Paper160.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{cilliers2008african, author = {Cilliers, Jakkie}, title = {{The African Standby Force}}, institution = {Institute for Security Studies}, year = {2008}, month = mar, url = {https://issafrica.s3.amazonaws.com/site/uploads/Paper160.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }