Thami Dickson, New York

The United Nations (UN) Security Council delegation begins a week-long mission to four African states today. The Security Council will visit the capitals of Ethiopia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda and Liberia. The mission seeks to explore ways and means of reinforcing peace and security in Africa's troubled countries.

The mission kicks off its business with a critical meeting with the African Union (AU) leadership at the AU headquarters in Addis Abba, Ethiopia to enhance the working relationship between the two organisations.

But, the burning issue is Sudan whose President has been indicted by the International Criminal Court. The AU has been pushing the Security Council to suspend the war crimes charges against President Omar al Bashir, arguing that arresting him would destabilise the peace efforts in that country.

In fact, the AU has even sent the former President of South Africa, Thabo Mbeki to boost the peace process in Sudan

Also critical on this Security Council visit is the volatile security situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo, which has seen killings, rape, abduction, and displacement persisting in the eastern parts of that country. The challenge is that the UN peacekeeping mission there is struggling to protect the civilians.

The renewed fighting in Somalia between government and rebel forces will also be discussed during the delegation's meeting with the AU.