Article 2 Objectives 1. The general objective of the Organ shall be to promote peace and security in the Region. 2. The specific objectives of the Organ shall be to: a) protect the people and safeguard the development of the Region against instability arising from the breakdown of law and order, intra-state conflict, inter-state conflict and aggression; b) promote political co-operation among State Parties and the evolution of common political values and institutions; c) develop common foreign policy approaches on issues of mutual concern and advance such policy is collectively in international fora; d) promote regional co-ordination and co-operation on matters related to security and defence and establish appropriate mechanisms to this end; e) prevent, contain and resolve inter-and intra-state conflict by peaceful means; f) consider enforcement action in accordance with international law and as a matter of last resort where peaceful means have failed; g) promote the development of democratic institutions and practices within the territories of State Parties and encourage the observance of universal human rights as provided for in the Charters and Conventions of the Organisation of African Unity and United Nations respectively; h) consider the development of a collective security capacity and conclude a Mutual Defence Pact to respond to external military threats; i) develop close co-operation between the police and state secu55