African Militaries and Rebellion: The Political Economy of Threat and Combat Effectiveness

By Journal of Peace Research
Updated: 03/29/2010

IRIN PhotoBy: Jeffrey Herbst. Journal of Peace Research, 2004.

Few African armies have shown an aptitude for counter-insurgency strategies. Instead, respones to rebellions are delayed, rely on blunt military strikes and exclude vital political strategies to complement security operations. Competent police forces and domestic intelligence agencies rather than expansion of the military will better enhance counter-insurgency capabilities in Africa’s democracies. [PDF]