African Security in the Twenty-First Century

The Challenges of Indigenization and Multilateralism

Bibliographic Data

ID2595440
AuthorsStephen F Burge, Stephen F Burgess (corresponding author)
Year1998
Volume41
Issue2
Pages37
Publication date1998-09-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueAfrican Studies Review (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0002-0206 • E-ISSN: 1555-2462
PublisherJSTOR (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.2307/524826
OpenAlexW1998669071
LanguageEN
Citations received2
References cited11

With the onset of the twenty-first century, power distribution has become a key factor in African security. In western and southern Africa, power has become more concentrated and hierarchical, especially with the growing assertiveness of three regional powers, Nigeria, South Africa and Zimbabwe, and organizations (ECOWAS and SADC) which have the authority, salience and capability to mount and lead security operations. In contrast, in central and eastern Africa, anarchy remains prevalent and helps to explain the failure to enforce peace in both Rwan- da and Somalia. The indigenization of peace enforcement in western and south- ern Africa has been accompanied by high levels of salience, as regional forces have struggled to prevent spillover of conflicts into their home countries. African forces have been more willing than the United Nations and other outsiders to accept the costs of crossing the line, taking sides, and enforcing peace. The record of peace enforcement and interventionism for humanitarian purposes has been mixed. For example, ECOMOG peace enforcement in Liberia and Sierra Leone prevented seizures of power and retribution and allowed peace-making to begin in which agreements were reached and implemented and in which elected governments came to power. On the other hand, ECOMOG committed its share of abuses and prolonged conflicts and humanitarian crises that could have been ended fairly quickly by force. R6sume: avec l'approche du vingt et unieme siecle, les rapports de force sont devenus un element-clef dans la securite de l'Afrique. Dans les regions occidentales et australes, le pouvoir est devenu plus concentre et plus hierarchique, notamment avec l'affirmation croissante de trois pouvoirs regionaux dont le Nigeria, I'Afrique du Sud, le Zimbabwe et d'organisations (CDAO et SADC) ayant l'autorite, la

Business · Indigenization · International trade · Multilateralism · Political science · Politics · African studies and sociopolitical issues · Global Peace and Security Dynamics · Law · Poverty, Education, and Child Welfare

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