A first-ever summit of African defence ministers cleared the way in Addis Ababa on Wednesday for an African peacekeeping force to prevent conflicts and help deliver aid to war-ravaged countries.
The plan to muster a continental peacekeeping force follows persistent criticism that the African Union, formerly the Organisation of African Unity, has too often stood idle as millions perished in some of Africa’s deadliest civil wars.
African leaders will give final approval for the force at an AU summit in Libya next month.
For the first time its 40-year history, the AU sent a group of peacekeepers — mainly from South Africa, Ethiopia and Mozambique — to help defuse a rebellion in Burundi.
The proposed force, which has garnered support from international leaders, is expected to include up to 10 000 troops.
It is due to include soldiers and police officers. — Sapa-DPA