Security has been, for a long time, a major concern for Africans; from the founding of the Organization of African Unity through its newer version the African Union (AU). AU leaders have firmly resolved to ensure security by 2063. They created a mechanism, African Peace and Security Architecture, and its instrument, the African Standby Forces (ASF). However, this nascent system has proven to be ineffective in dealing with internal conflicts or terrorism. This research is an analytical study and through a qualitative research design, based upon two-case studies (South Sudan and Somalia), it assessed ASF effectiveness in conducting peace operations, through the lens of U.S. Joint doctrine framework. To this end, this analysis uses four out of the seven joint functions: command and control, movement and maneuver, intelligence, and protection. This study has concluded that the main impediments faced by ASF include lack of doctrine, force projection, operational planning, strategic logistics, and force protection capabilities and its subsequent heavy reliance on external partners. Recommendations include the necessity for the AU to build capacities across levels (strategic and operational) for the different components of the ASF (military, police and civilian) in order to ensure success.

Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited. The opinions and conclusions expressed herein are those of the student-authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College or any other governmental agency. (References to these studies should include the foregoing statement.)