The African Standby Force (ASF) is a regional peacekeeping initiative established by the African Union (AU) to enhance the continent's ability to respond to conflicts and crises. Formed in 2003, the ASF aims to deploy military and civilian personnel quickly to maintain peace and security in African nations facing instability. The ASF is organized into five regional standby forces, each representing different parts of Africa. These forces are designed to work together with the United Nations (UN) and other international organizations to address issues such as humanitarian crises, natural disasters, and armed conflicts, promoting stability and security across the continent.