NATO’s support to the African Union started in 2005 with assistance to the AU Mission in Sudan (AMIS). This was the Alliance’s first mission on the African continent and as such represents a landmark decision by the North Atlantic Council. Since then, NATO has committed to other missions.
From June 2005 to 31 December 2007, NATO provided assistance to the African Union (AU) Mission in Sudan (AMIS). It was involved in the coordination of AMIS personnel airlift – together with the European Union (EU) – as well as the provision of training to the AMIS staff.
AMIS aimed to end violence and improve the humanitarian situation in a region that has been suffering from conflict since 2003.
NATO has accepted to assist the African Union (AU) mission in Somalia (AMISOM) by providing airlift support to AU member states willing to deploy in Somalia under AMISOM. The Alliance is currently waiting for specific requirements in this regard.
NATO has responded positively to an AU request for support with a study on the evaluation/assessment of the operational readiness of the African Standby Force (ASF) brigades.
