The Workshop provided a valuable platform for participants to reflect on the nature of
regional PCRD initiatives and their links to the AU PCRD framework; strategic visions and
goals of the AU, RECs/RMs, the Civil Society, and relevant stakeholders on PCRD; progress,
opportunities and challenges of implementing PCRD activities by RECs, the AU and other
relevant partners. The deliberations focused on ways and means of addressing the five
main issues that the APSA Roadmap 2016-2020 identifies as hindrances to the AU’s PCRD
implementation efforts, namely: (1) the complexity of post-conflict issues and the
demanding resource requirement, (2) lack of coordination within the AUC and between the
AUC and the RECs to align relevant peace and security programmes, (3) understaffed and
under-resourced PCRD Unit at the AUC, (4) low level of capacity of the RECs/RMs, (5) lack
of shared learning between the RECs/RMs and the lack of alignment between regional
peacebuilding objectives as well as national stabilization plans. It also provided the AUC and
the RECs/RMs the opportunity to proactively explore practical ways of operationalizing the
concept of complementarity and subsidiarity.
In this regard, the Workshop, that was attended by representatives of the Government of
Zimbabwe, AU Commission, RECs/RMs, AU Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), regional Civil
Society organisations, and the Training for Peace partners, called for bi-annual meetings
between the AUC and the RECs/RMs on PCRD – one at a technical level, and the second at
the political decision-making level to foster better cohesion in enhancing coordination on
PCRD implementation at sub-regional levels. It also agreed on a Guideline Notes for
enhancing collaboration and coordination between the AU, RECs/RMs, Member States, Civil
Society and other actors.