APFO was established in 1994 as an organization with an overall objective of research and advocacy on peace and security issues in the Horn of Africa. It was contracted by IGAD Secretariat in 2003 to act as a National Research Institute in support of the implementation of IGAD Conflict Early Warning and Early Response Mechanism in the IGAD region. APFO's areas of interest are:
* Political reforms
* Impact of constitutional reforms
* Small arms and human security
* Demilitarization
* Mediation
* Community and women participation in peace process
* Formulating and building structures for managing conflict
* Conflict analysis and peace building
Projects are implemented through a range of collaborative activities with various partner organizations and groups. ... [according to site editor's information]