The Challenge of Stability and Security in West Africa

The Challenge of Stability and Security in West Africa PDF Author: Alexandre Marc
Publisher: World Bank Publications
ISBN: 1464804656
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 215

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Book Description
Since independence, the West African sub-region has been an arena for a number of large-scale conflicts and civil wars, as well as simmering and low-intensity uprisings. Contrary to perceptions, West Africa in its post-independence history has experienced fewer conflict events and fatalities from conflict than the other sub-regions on the continent. The turn of the millennium has witnessed the recession of large-scale and conventional conflict, and it has ushered in new and emerging threats. The specters of religious extremism, maritime piracy, and narcotics trafficking threaten to undermine some of the progress achieved in recent years. The Challenge of Stability and Security in West Africa critically examines the key drivers of conflict and violence, and the way in which they impact the countries of the sub-region. In addition to emerging threats, these drivers include the challenges of youth inclusion, migration, sub-regional imbalances, and extractives, as well as challenges related to the fragility of political institutions and managing the competition for power, reform of the security sector, and weakness of institutions related to land management. The book explores how the sub-region, under the auspices of the regional organization ECOWAS, has become a pioneer on the continent in terms of addressing regional challenges. The Challenge of Stability and Security in West Africa also identifies key lessons in the dynamics of resilience in the face of political violence and civil war drawn from CÃ ́te d'Ivoire, Liberia, and Sierra Leone, that can be useful for countries around the world in similar situations. It incorporates knowledge and findings from leading experts and provides insights from academics and development practitioners. Finally, the book identifies possible policy and programmatic responses and directions for policy dialogue at the national and international levels.

The Challenge of Stability and Security in West Africa

The Challenge of Stability and Security in West Africa PDF Author: Alexandre Marc
Publisher: World Bank Publications
ISBN: 1464804656
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 215

Get Book Here

Book Description
Since independence, the West African sub-region has been an arena for a number of large-scale conflicts and civil wars, as well as simmering and low-intensity uprisings. Contrary to perceptions, West Africa in its post-independence history has experienced fewer conflict events and fatalities from conflict than the other sub-regions on the continent. The turn of the millennium has witnessed the recession of large-scale and conventional conflict, and it has ushered in new and emerging threats. The specters of religious extremism, maritime piracy, and narcotics trafficking threaten to undermine some of the progress achieved in recent years. The Challenge of Stability and Security in West Africa critically examines the key drivers of conflict and violence, and the way in which they impact the countries of the sub-region. In addition to emerging threats, these drivers include the challenges of youth inclusion, migration, sub-regional imbalances, and extractives, as well as challenges related to the fragility of political institutions and managing the competition for power, reform of the security sector, and weakness of institutions related to land management. The book explores how the sub-region, under the auspices of the regional organization ECOWAS, has become a pioneer on the continent in terms of addressing regional challenges. The Challenge of Stability and Security in West Africa also identifies key lessons in the dynamics of resilience in the face of political violence and civil war drawn from CÃ ́te d'Ivoire, Liberia, and Sierra Leone, that can be useful for countries around the world in similar situations. It incorporates knowledge and findings from leading experts and provides insights from academics and development practitioners. Finally, the book identifies possible policy and programmatic responses and directions for policy dialogue at the national and international levels.

Challenges of Security Sector Governance in West Africa

Challenges of Security Sector Governance in West Africa PDF Author: Alan Bryden
Publisher: Lit Verlag
ISBN: 9783825886813
Category : Africa, West
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Book Description
There is currently no comprehensive study of the status of security sector governance in West Africa. Many efforts to understand governance of the security sector in Africa have been directed either at individual countries or at providing a general analysis of the state and security in Africa. This book is intended to contribute to confidence and peace-building through developing a better understanding of the challenges of security sector governance and generating practical policy recommendations based on work conducted by West African experts. It analyses the nature of security sector governance in each of the 16 West African states, provides an assessment of the effectiveness of governance mechanisms, in particular relating to democratic oversight of the security sector, and takes into account the regional and international dimensions to the issue.

The Causes of Instability in Nigeria and Implications for the United States

The Causes of Instability in Nigeria and Implications for the United States PDF Author: Clarence J. Bouchat
Publisher: Army War College Press
ISBN:
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 136

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Book Description
The political economy problems of Nigeria, the root cause for ethnic, religious, political and economic strife, can be in part addressed indirectly through focused contributions by the U.S. military, especially if regionally aligned units are more thoroughly employed.

Challenging the United Nations Peace and Security Agenda in Africa

Challenging the United Nations Peace and Security Agenda in Africa PDF Author: Dawn Nagar
Publisher: Springer Nature
ISBN: 3030835235
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 412

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Book Description
This book concerns the United Nations’ peacemaking, peacekeeping, peace-building, and post-conflict reconstruction efforts in Africa from 1960 to 2021. Succinctly discussed are historic and contemporary peace, security, and economic engagements within 18 countries spanning eight African regions: the Great Lakes; the Economic Community of Central African States; East Africa; the Horn of Africa; North Africa; the Sahel Region; West Africa; and Southern Africa. The book develops a neo-realist and imperialist critique that discusses how resource-rich, conflict-ridden states have become easy targets for capitalists, terrorists, and transnational crime, aligned to geostrategic parochial interests. Critically argued is that endogenous economic growth factors, if applied effectively, can achieve both peace and security, and meet the Global Sustainable Development Goals. Such efforts require constructive engagement with the five permanent members of the UN Security Council: China, France, Russia, the UK, and the US. However, the book contends that the cornerstone of multilateral engagement involves Africa’s 55 states and the African Union’s three major pillars: the Peace and Security Council, the African Governance Architecture, and the Post-Conflict Reconstruction Development Centre, which have the ability to move resource-rich, conflict-ridden states out of transnational crime and poverty. This book offers wide-ranging analyses of contemporary African diplomacy and a compelling critique of UN peacekeeping efforts in Africa, which resonates to scholars of international relations, peace and conflict studies, and African politics.

Security in Africa

Security in Africa PDF Author: Claire Metelits
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield
ISBN: 1442239565
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 157

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Book Description
Security in Africa: A Critical Approach to Western Indicators of Threat questions the dominant Western narrative of security threats in Africa. Based on an analysis traditional security studies and Western security policy, it argues that commonly used indicators are based on mainstream security studies and provide only circumscribed analyses of threats to international security. By assessing the origins of this traditional approach to security and problematizing failed states, political instability, Muslim populations, and poverty among others, it makes the case for a critical approach to framing security challenges in Africa.

The State of Peacebuilding in Africa

The State of Peacebuilding in Africa PDF Author: Terence McNamee
Publisher: Springer Nature
ISBN: 3030466361
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 433

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Book Description
This open access book on the state of peacebuilding in Africa brings together the work of distinguished scholars, practitioners, and decision makers to reflect on key experiences and lessons learned in peacebuilding in Africa over the past half century. The core themes addressed by the contributors include conflict prevention, mediation, and management; post-conflict reconstruction, justice and Disarmament Demobilization and Reintegration; the role of women, religion, humanitarianism, grassroots organizations, and early warning systems; and the impact of global, regional, and continental bodies. The book's thematic chapters are complemented by six country/region case studies: The Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Sudan/South Sudan, Mozambique and the Sahel/Mali. Each chapter concludes with a set of key lessons learned that could be used to inform the building of a more sustainable peace in Africa. The State of Peacebuilding in Africa was born out of the activities of the Southern Voices Network for Peacebuilding (SVNP), a Carnegie-funded, continent-wide network of African organizations that works with the Wilson Center to bring African knowledge and perspectives to U.S., African, and international policy on peacebuilding in Africa. The research for this book was made possible by a grant from Carnegie Corporation of New York.

Nigeria

Nigeria PDF Author: Peter Lewis
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Nigeria
Languages : en
Pages : 17

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Book Description
Nigeria is Africa's most populous country, with an estimated 155 million people, and among its most diverse, with more than 250 distinct ethnic and linguistic groups. Islam and Christianity are nearly equally represented, while African traditional religions are also prevalent. The country has abundant natural resources, including the largest oil and gas reserves in sub-Saharan Africa. Since gaining independence from Britain in 1960, Nigeria has reflected deep-seated divisions, pervasive instability, and recurring conflict. The challenges to stability in Nigeria can be seen along political, social, and economic dimensions. There is no question that Nigeria contends with multiple vulnerabilities, and that the specter of failure is often present. Yet the country also embodies important sources of resilience, including institutional innovation, elite bargaining, and civic resources for attenuating conflict. It remains an open question whether Nigeria will realize a more positive trajectory, continue to experience stagnation and violence, or suffer a descent into calamity. The pivotal elements that could determine these alternate paths include elections, leadership, elite strategies, and key economic indicators.

African Foreign Policies

African Foreign Policies PDF Author: Gilbert M. Khadiagala
Publisher: Lynne Rienner Publishers
ISBN: 9781555879662
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 260

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Book Description
This treatment of the relationship between domestic and international politics analyzes efforts by African states to manage their external relations amid shifts in the internal, regional, and global environments. The study traverses the continent, identifying patterns of change, examining constraints, and giving attention to the processes that influence policy outcomes. Contributors include scholars of political science, international relations, African studies, and conflict analysis. c. Book News Inc.

Promoting Stability and Development in Africa

Promoting Stability and Development in Africa PDF Author: Marta Martinelli
Publisher: Edizioni Nuova Cultura
ISBN: 8868125951
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 208

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Book Description
Africa is experiencing one of the greatest transformations of its history. Today’s Sub-Saharan Africa is still marked by enduring instability, mass migrations and crises, but at the same time it is also characterised by positive developments including economic growth and regional integration. This publication sheds light on these changes from three perspectives: economic policies and sustainable development; good governance and democracy; peace and security. Research in relevant regions in Sub-Saharan Africa and key countries (Ethiopia, Mozambique, Nigeria and South Africa) has been conducted by African and European experts with the aim of assessing the role of the private sector and determining the partner-ship opportunities that could potentially be developed with the public sector. A series of policy recommendations are offered to the European Union on how to tackle these opportunities in cooperation with old and new actors.

The Greater Maghreb

The Greater Maghreb PDF Author: David Garcia Cantalapiedra
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield
ISBN: 1498588417
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 161

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Book Description
This book represents a different approach in the study of the Sahel region in North Africa. Due to the hybrid security threats sweeping across the area, the whole region becomes a new security complex different from Middle East and more related to Western and Central Africa developments, including the impact of drug-trafficking coming from Latin America. This book discusses how the Transnational Organized Crime-Terrorism Nexus has created a very different dynamics from Middle East’s, hitting hard to people, societies and states there. The contributors argue that the countries in the area and the European Union should recognize this new complex and respond properly and differently to this situation.