Former Italian prime minister to head African Union-UN peacekeeping panel

Former Italian prime minister Romano Prodi will head a new joint panel set up to support African Union (AU) peacekeeping missions established under a United Nations mandate, the world body announced today.

The AU-UN panel, called for in an April resolution of the Security Council, will also comprise James Dobbins of the United States, Jean-Pierre Halbwachs of Mauritius, Monica Juma of Kenya, Toshi Niwa of Japan and Behrooz Sadry of Iran.

“The panel will consider lessons from past and current African Union peacekeeping efforts and explore possible options to enhance the predictability, sustainability and flexibility of resources for African Union peacekeeping operations mandated by the Security Council,” according to a statement issued by Mr. Ban’s spokesperson.

Its members will meet with the Secretary-General on 15 September and begin their deliberation. The panel’s report is slated to be submitted to the Council by the end of this year.