AU leaders call for stronger police role in peace operations

Senior African Union (AU) officials and regional security leaders have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening police capabilities across the continent’s peace support operations, emphasising the crucial role of policing in promoting stability and the rule of law in post-conflict settings.Speaking at the opening of the 5th Annual AU Police Coordination Meeting in Windhoek, Namibia, Professor Kula Ishmael Theletsane, Director of the Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Affairs at the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Secretariat, described the gathering as “a reaffirmation of our shared commitment to promoting peace, security and cooperation across our continent”.“It is indeed with great humility and privilege that I welcome you all to the 5th Annual Police Coordination Meeting under the theme Enhancing the Police as a Vital Capability for Contemporary Peace Support Operations in Africa,” Professor Theletsane said, speaking on behalf of SADC Executive Secretary Elias Magosi.“This gathering marks not only the continuation of our collective journey but also a reaffirmation of our shared commitment to promoting peace, security and cooperation across our continent.”The meeting, attended by heads of the AU Peace Support Operations Division, AU Police Commissioners, regional police representatives, and international partners such as the GIZ African Union Office, the Institute for Security Studies, and the United Nations, comes at a time of major reviews within the AU’s peace and security architecture.Strategic reviews underwayProfessor Theletsane noted that the AU conducted a review of the African Standby Force (ASF) strategic concept in December 2024, with further plans to reassess the entire African peace and security framework this year. He said the conference theme aligns closely with these reforms, emphasising the growing importance of police components in peace support missions.“The AU and African Standby Force Police are cornerstones of our peace support operation work,” he said. “Their role directly reflects the vision and aspirations contained in our continental blueprint, Agenda 2063 – The Africa We Want.”Highlighting the changing nature of modern peacekeeping, he said police forces now play “a substantive role” in the African peace and security architecture, not only maintaining law and order but also rebuilding trust between citizens and institutions.“Every time after deployment, when the military is done, when everyone is out of the theatre of operation, they are left with police,” he remarked. “It is our role when we deploy to make sure that these individuals, after the end of the deployment, still have that trust within the police.”Professor Theletsane urged participants to conduct a “frank, open and candid” review of police operations under the African Standby Force, assessing effectiveness, resource allocation and accountability.He also expressed gratitude to partners, including German cooperation through GIZ and Norwegian-funded programmes via the Institute for Security Studies, for their financial and logistical support. “Together we can build a safer, more stable and more united Africa,” he concluded, officially declaring the meeting open.Commitment to African security reaffirmedWelcoming delegates to Windhoek, Lieutenant General Joseph Shikongo, Inspector General of the Namibian Police Force, praised the city as a symbol of peace and unity, urging participants to build lasting partnerships.“We welcome you to Windhoek, a city that reflects Namibia’s values of peace, unity and resilience,” Shikongo said. He described the meeting as a “significant milestone” towards enhancing police capabilities in peace support operations and crisis response, calling for stronger coordination, cooperation and collaboration.“No single nation can face these threats alone,” he cautioned. “Our unity, our shared intelligence and our common strategies are our greatest strength.”Shikongo highlighted the AU’s vision of Silencing the Guns and advancing the rule of law, urging African police forces to stand in solidarity to tackle complex security challenges such as terrorism, organised crime, cybercrime and human trafficking.

AU leaders call for stronger police role in peace operations

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Namibian Sun 2026-01-30

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AU leaders call for stronger police role in peace operations

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Namibian Sun 2026-01-30

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