The Peace and Security Council Report analyses developments and decisions at the African Union Peace and Security Council (PSC). The monthly publication is the only one of its kind dedicated to providing current analysis of the PSC’s work. In this edition the first article ‘Can the AU–UN efforts in Libya pave the way for elections in 2019? discusses the dire situation in Libya at the recent 32nd AU summit in Addis Ababa. According to estimates by the United Nations High Commission for Refugees, there are 170 490 internally displaced people in Libya. The humanitarian situation remains critical for both citizens and, particularly, migrants in the country. The next article ’Streamlining the AU’s rapid response capabilities is debating the AU’s ability to rapidly deploy a combat force in crisis situations. Neither of the two bodies intended for this purpose – the African Capacity for Immediate Response to Crises (ACIRC) and the African Standby Force (ASF) – have ever been deployed. This raises major questions about their relevance and viability in Africa’s fast-changing peace and security environment. The article ‘Lessons from AU election observation in Nigeria and Senegal’ is focusing on a busy electoral year in Africa. Two important polls took place last month, in Nigeria and Senegal, both under the watchful eye of the African Union election observer missions (AUEOM). In the article ‘Restructuring Africa’s partnerships easier said than done’ African leaders are again asked to travel to a ‘partner’ country in October this year for an inaugural Russia–Africa summit in Sochi. The planned summit was announced by Russian Foreign Affairs Minister Sergey Lavrov during a visit to Rwanda last year. The last article is an interview with Matt Herbert about the implications of the Algerian protest against the extension of ailing President Abdelaziz Bouteflika’s mandate. These events will have a major impact on the North African oil producer and on the region.
