[2] The CEWS is tasked with gathering and analyzing data and is required to work in partnership with “the United Nations (UN), its agencies, other relevant international organizations, research centers, academic institutions, and Nongovernmental Organizations (NGOs).” The information it collects is intended to assist the Chairperson of the Commission in advising the Peace and Security Council (PSC) on potential conflicts and threats to peace and security in Africa, as well as recommending the most effective courses of action.
[4] The Continental Early Warning System is designed to gather, analyze, disseminate, and provide timely alerts about emerging threats to prevent violence and promote peace.
[5] CEWS works in collaboration with the Peace and Security Council of the African Union to provide data and analysis that inform decision-making processes regarding conflict resolution.
The Framework for the Operationalization of the CEWS was adopted during the Governmental Experts meeting on early warning and conflict prevention in South Africa in 2006.
The CEWS is constrained by limited human resources, rudimentary cooperation in regard to information sharing, and unsystematic coordination among subgroups within the African Union.
[12] A comprehensive evaluation revealed that while significant progress has been made in preventing violence with the CEWS, more effort and resources are needed to strengthen institutional capacities of the system and ensure stakeholder commitment.