Peace & Security Council Report

The October 2017 Peace & Security Council Report by the Institute for Security Studies analyzes several African security crises, including the transition of AMISOM in Somalia, the resurgence of violence in the Central African Republic, the pro-Biafra movement in Nigeria, and the African Union's initiative to combat illegal weapons. It also details the ongoing funding disputes between the AU Peace and Security Council (PSC) and the UN Security Council (UNSC) regarding AU-led peace operations.

• The African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) has shifted its mandate from primarily fighting al-Shabaab to supporting the Federal Government of Somalia in establishing a security sector architecture. This is part of a conditions-based exit strategy that includes a planned reduction of at least 1,500 troops by October 2018, though the ability of Somali national forces to take over the fight against al-Shabaab remains uncertain.
• The Central African Republic (CAR) is experiencing a resurgence of violence and organized crime, with approximately 70% of the country controlled by armed groups. This instability is exacerbated by the withdrawal of US Special Forces, Ugandan troops, and French forces (Operation Sangaris), leaving a security vacuum that the government and UN peacekeepers (MINUSCA) have struggled to fill.
• The African Union has designated September as 'Africa Amnesty Month' until 2020 to encourage the surrender of illegal weapons. However, the initiative faces challenges due to weak state institutions, porous borders, and the diversion of legally obtained state-owned arms into illicit markets.
• In Nigeria, the military's heavy-handed response to pro-Biafra agitators, specifically through 'Operation Python Dance' targeting the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), is criticized for potentially popularizing the separatist cause. While IPOB cites marginalization of Igbos, the government has labeled the group a terrorist organization, a move some argue could drive the movement underground.
• The AU Peace and Security Council (PSC) and the UN Security Council (UNSC) remain deadlocked over the funding of AU-led peace operations. The PSC seeks the use of assessed UN contributions for troop salaries, while some UNSC members demand greater financial accountability and human rights compliance, suggesting bilateral support as an alternative.

APA

Bedzigui, Y., Louw-Vaudran, L., & Ani, N. C. (2017). Peace & Security Council Report. Institute for Security Studies. https://issafrica.s3.amazonaws.com/site/uploads/psc96.pdf

Chicago

Bedzigui, Yann, Liesl Louw-Vaudran, and Ndubuisi Christian Ani. Peace & Security Council Report. Institute for Security Studies, 2017. https://issafrica.s3.amazonaws.com/site/uploads/psc96.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Bedzigui |first1=Yann |last2=Louw-Vaudran |first2=Liesl |last3=Ani |first3=Ndubuisi Christian |title=Peace & Security Council Report |publisher=Institute for Security Studies |date=October 2017 |url=https://issafrica.s3.amazonaws.com/site/uploads/psc96.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{bedzigui2017peace, author = {Bedzigui, Yann and Louw-Vaudran, Liesl and Ani, Ndubuisi Christian}, title = {{Peace \& Security Council Report}}, institution = {Institute for Security Studies}, year = {2017}, month = oct, url = {https://issafrica.s3.amazonaws.com/site/uploads/psc96.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }