The Secretariat has been implementing planned activities within the frameworks of the AU-APSTA MoU (2008), the AU-APSTA Funding Agreement (2012) and the APSTA Strategic Plan (2014-2019). The activities cut across seven (7) Strategic Issues/Goals enshrined in the APSTA Strategic Plan (2014-2019), including: needs-based training standardisation and harmonisation; publications of standardised and harmonised training materials; qualitative research into conflicts within the continent; and collaborative policy implementation support. These activities, among others, contributed towards the achievement of the objectives of the African Peace and Security Architecture (APSA)/ASF by the end of 2015 when the ASF was declared operational. In turn, the achievements thus helped to fulfill the purposes of the AU-APSTA MoU (2008) as well as the AU-APSTA Funding Agreement (2012).
The achievements of the Association underscore the optimism that APSTA possesses tremendous potential to contribute towards the efforts of the AU in maintaining and restoring peace and stability within the continent through capacity building training, education and related research, as well as through policy implementation support to the AU, Regional Economic Communities/Mechanisms (RECs/RMs) and member states. More so, the recent engagements with the AUC present opportunities for African capacity-building institutions, especially in the areas of peace support operations training, education, research and policy implementation support, to play a key role in assisting in the operationalisation and capacity-building of the ASF towards the attainment of the objectives of APSA. Thus, the Strategic Plan 2020-2025 is being articulated to encompass, in particular, the 4th Aspiration of AU Agenda 2063, of a peaceful and secure Africa.
The African Peace Support Trainers Association (APSTA) was founded in 2001 as a framework for improving the capacity of peacekeeping training institutions by facilitating the exchange of best practices and capacity development support, and for enhancing the impact of peacekeeping initiatives by the AU and Regional Economic Communities/Regional Mechanisms (RECs/RMs). As a non-profit making organization, APSTA was formally established in 2002 as the African Chapter of the International Association of Peacekeeping Training Centres (IAPTC).
APSTA upholds the following core values as the guiding principles for its operations :
To be an independent Pan-African Association what promotes and harmonizes training for Peace Support Operations (PSO) towards a peaceful and stable Africa.
To facilitate the development of African capacity for peace and security through coordination, advocacy, harmonization and standardization of training, research and policy implementation amongst member institutions and in support of the African Peace and Security Architecture (APSA) and the African Standby Force (ASF).
The role and functions of APSTA are derived from the Association’s Constitution, and the AU-APSTA Memorandum of Understanding (2008) aiming to support the capacity building of the African Standby Force (ASF). For the above-stated purposes, APSTA, through its Member Institutions, shall have the following mandate :
To facilitate the development of African capacity for peace and security through coordination, advocacy, harmonization and standardization of training, research and policy implementation support among member institutions, towards a peaceful and stable Africa.
With African peace and security training, research and capacity building centres and institutions in the five (5) African Union designated regions of Africa.
Drawn from Member Institutions and affiliated African peace and security training, research and capacity building centres and institutions in the five (5) African Union designated regions of Africa.
For conferences, seminars, workshops and training in various countries of Member Institutions and affiliated African peace and security training, research and capacity building centres and institutions in the five (5) African Union designated regions of Africa.
For partners that are already supporting or are willing to support various aspects of capacity development for the African Peace and Security Architecture (APSA).
Of African peace and security training, research and capacity building centres and institutions in the five (5) African Union designated regions of Africa.
Facilitates access and visibility to comprehensive database and links to peace and security issues, capacities and events in Africa for Member Institutions, Partners, etc …