psc46may_2013e-dc5064bffe85126d.pdf

This May 2013 report from the Institute for Security Studies analyzes key security issues for the AU Peace and Security Council. It details the risks of electoral violence in Zimbabwe following its constitutional referendum, the need for a multi-dimensional enhancement of the AMISOM mission to combat al-Shabaab in Somalia, and the efforts to institutionalize the Pan-African Network of the Wise (PanWise) to coordinate conflict prevention across the continent.

• Zimbabwe's 16 March 2013 constitutional referendum was conducted in a relatively peaceful environment and voted overwhelmingly in favour of the new constitution. However, there are concerns that the upcoming elections could see a rise in violence due to high political stakes and a history of electoral violence in 2000, 2002, 2005, and 2008.
• The new Zimbabwean constitution maintains a dominant executive presidency, granting the president power to appoint and dismiss cabinet ministers, ambassadors, security chiefs, and judges, as well as the power to dissolve parliament. While it imposes a two-term limit, this is not retroactive, allowing President Robert Mugabe to serve additional terms.
• The AU Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) has expanded its force size to 17,731 uniformed personnel and 70 civilians, making it the AU's largest operation. Its operations are divided into four sectors: Sector 1 (Mogadishu), Sector 2 (south-west Somalia), Sector 3 (Baidoa), and Sector 4 (Belet Weyne).
• Despite security gains in Somalia, al-Shabaab remains a major threat, shifting from conventional battles to asymmetric warfare using IEDs, suicide attacks, and targeted assassinations. The group continues to control significant parts of south and central Somalia and has conducted attacks in Mogadishu, including a 14 April 2013 courthouse bombing that killed 35 people.
• A strategic review of AMISOM recommended transforming the mission into a fully-fledged multi-dimensional operation with increased civilian capacity and enhanced military capabilities, including air and maritime assets. The review suggested three options: handing the mission to the UN, enhancing AMISOM's mandate and strength as an interim measure, or establishing a joint AU-UN mission.
• The AU Panel of the Wise, created in 2002, is part of the African Peace and Security Architecture (APSA) and is mandated to advise the PSC and the Chairperson of the Commission on peace and security. To avoid duplication of efforts, the AU and various Regional Economic Communities (RECs) agreed in June 2012 to establish the Pan-African Network of the Wise (PanWise).

APA

Institute for Security Studies (n.d.). psc46may_2013e-dc5064bffe85126d.pdf. https://issafrica.s3.amazonaws.com/site/uploads/PSC46May_2013E.pdf

Chicago

Institute for Security Studies. psc46may_2013e-dc5064bffe85126d.pdf. n.d. https://issafrica.s3.amazonaws.com/site/uploads/PSC46May_2013E.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Institute for Security Studies |title=psc46may_2013e-dc5064bffe85126d.pdf |url=https://issafrica.s3.amazonaws.com/site/uploads/PSC46May_2013E.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{instituteforsecuritystudiesndpsc46may2013edc5064bffe85126dpdf, author = {{Institute for Security Studies}}, title = {{psc46may\_2013e-dc5064bffe85126d.pdf}}, institution = {Institute for Security Studies}, url = {https://issafrica.s3.amazonaws.com/site/uploads/PSC46May_2013E.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }