By George Murumba

25^th Oct 2010

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has called on the international community to find sustainable ways of supporting pan-African troops involved in peacekeeping operations. The African Union, Mr Ban said, continues to face difficulties in securing the necessary funding for its peacekeeping efforts on the continent.

Speaking at the United Nations Security Council’s debate on peace and security in Africa, the UN Secretary General said “…we need to find a solution that will provide predictable, sustainable and flexible resources to the African Union when it undertakes peacekeeping operations authorized by this Council”.

Mr Ban noted that the AU’s peacekeeping efforts in the Sudanese region of Darfur and Somalia where Uganda is involved, for example, are dogged by limited resources.

Peacekeeping operations in Africa should receive the same level of support as similar UN missions, including reimbursement of staff, the Secretary-General said.  They should also uphold the same professional standards, he added.

He told the 15-member Council that he attaches great importance to the partnership between the AU and the UN, adding that he will submit a report in the coming months that will help define a strategic vision for the two organizations’ cooperation in the area of peace and security.

In a presidential statement at the end of the debate, the Council welcomed the AU’s enhanced peacekeeping role in concert with its sub-regional organisations and in line with the Council’s resolutions and decisions.  It noted with appreciation the AU’s positive efforts in maintaining peace and security in Africa.

“The Security Council notes the continuing efforts by the African Union to enhance its institutional capacity to enable it to effectively plan, manage and deploy peacekeeping operations”, the statement reads in part.

The Council said it is determined to continue seeking a predictable and sustainable solution to the funding challenges facing AU’s peace efforts in Africa.

In his support for AU peacekeeping operations authorized by the UN, the Secretary-General said the initiatives by the pan-African body have made significant contributions to alleviating conflict on the continent.

This, he said, has been achieved through mediation, peacekeeping and peace enforcement; even with the limited resources and the difficult and dangerous circumstances.  END.  If it’s Monday, it’s Uganda Correspondent.  Never miss out again!