The Consultative Meeting on the Strategic Review of the African Standby Force (ASF) was held from 16 to 17 October 2025 in Accra, Ghana. Convened by the African Union Commission’s (AUC) Peace Support Operations Division (PSOD), the meeting formed part of the second phase of continental consultations aimed at assessing the ASF’s progress and determining its strategic direction in light of evolving peace and security dynamics across Africa.
The meeting brought together training centres, research institutes and the AU’s strategic partners to reflect on the ASF Policy Framework and its implementation since the ASF was declared at Full Operational Capability in 2016, and to align it with the AU PSO Doctrine and enhance its readiness for Africa’s evolving security landscape. Discussions examined achievements, persistent challenges and opportunities for strengthening the ASF’s readiness and coherence within the broader African Peace and Security Architecture (APSA).
Participants shared insights from AU and regionally-led PSOs, considering how lessons from past and ongoing missions could inform the ASF’s structural and operational reforms. Emphasis was placed on enhancing the ASF’s flexibility to respond to emerging security threats, improving interoperability among regional brigades, and ensuring sustainable financing for African-led responses.
ACCORD’s participation in the consultations reaffirmed its support for AU efforts in strengthening standby capacities and PSOs on the continent. The discussions and recommendations emerging from the meeting will inform a Strategic Review Report, outlining proposals to make the ASF a more practical and responsive instrument for collective security in Africa.
