Brussels, 01/08/2011 (Agence Europe) - €40 million is the additional amount that the European Commission has decided to give to the Peace Facility in Africa to make the African Peace and Security Architecture operational. The decision was announced by the European Commission on Monday 1 August. In so doing, the Commission is confirming its renewed support for the African Peace and Security Architecture, which was established in 2000 by the African Union (AU) in cooperation with the regional economic communities, for the prevention, management and resolution of conflicts in Africa.
The granting of this additional funding will allow the AU and the African regional organisations to complete and reinforce their mandate, which is: building synergies between the Peace and Security Council of the AU (PSC, a central body of the African Peace and Security Architecture) and the regional entities responsible for conflict prevention, management and resolution; increasing the capacity of the continental early warning system to anticipate and prevent conflicts; contributing towards the optimal functioning of the Panel of the Wise and the mediation structures; providing support for the operational capabilities of the African Standby Force (ASF); boosting the capacity to create and implement strategies and policies in the fields of peace and security; developing projects and financing management capacity in support of the Peace and Security Architecture.
The Peace Facility in Africa, which was set up in 2004 to fund initiatives in the field of security and peace on the African continent, whilst respecting the principle of African ownership, is managed by the European Commission. In 2007, the AU and the EU extended the scope of this instrument, both to cover conflict prevention and post-conflict stabilisation, and to speed up the decision-making and coordination processes.
Since 2004, the EU has channelled €740 million through this instrument. €100 million have been mobilised for the Peace and Security Architecture (€84.5 million) and EU/Africa dialogue. Some €600 million have been earmarked for operations in support of peace. €15 million have been allocated to the rapid response mechanism to pay for the preparatory phases of peace support operations and related initiatives as part of the mediation process requiring urgent funding. Around €40 million have been set aside to deal with unexpected needs if ever there was a funding shortfall. (A.N./transl.fl)