Africa Security Briefs are 2 to 8 page analyses of critical security challenges facing Africa that generate practical insights on a topic or context as well as actionable recommendations for policymakers and practitioners.
Nonstate Policing: Expanding the Scope for Tackling Africa’s Urban Violence
By Bruce Baker
The increasingly internal nature of Africa's security threats is placing ever greater pressures on Africa's police forces. Yet severe resource and capacity limitations, combined with high levels of public distrust, leave most African police forces incapable of effectively addressing these expanding urban-based threats in the near term. This Security Brief examines the potential of nonstate policing organizations - community-based groups with local credibility and knowledge - to help fill this gap. [PDF]
"Africa's Fragile States: Empowering Extremists, Exporting Terrorism,"
by Zachary Devlin-Foltz
Persistent reports of extremist activity from every region of the continent, punctuated by the recent al-Shabaab bombings in Kampala and advances in Mogadishu, have deepened concern over the growth of extremism in Africa. This Africa Security Brief assesses the threat of extremism from the lens of state fragility - the context in which extremists find most fertile ground. By so doing, the Brief provides insights and guidance for the priority of shoring up Africa's fragile states - and marginalizing extremists. [ENGLISH]Cocaine and Instability in Africa: Lessons from Latin America and the Caribbean
Africa is facing an increasingly menacing threat of cocaine trafficking that risks undermining its security structures, nascent democratic institutions, and development progress. Latin America has long faced similar challenges and its experience provides important lessons that can be applied before this expanding threat becomes more deeply entrenched on the continent - and costly to reverse. [ENGLISH] [FRENCH] [PORTUGUESE]Misinterpreting Ethnic Conflicts in Africa
"Misinterpreting Ethnic Conflicts in Africa" by Fr. Clement Mweyang Aapenguo.
Ethnic conflicts in Africa are often portrayed as having ages-old origins with little prospects for resolution. This article challenges that notion arguing that a re-diagnosis of the underlying drivers to ethnic violence can lead to more effective and sustainable responses. [ENGLISH] [ FRENCH] [PORTUGUESE]Lessons Learned from Peace Operations in Africa
"Lessons Learned from Peace Operations in Africa" by Paul Williams.
Peace operations have been a principal tool used to curb conflict in Africa over the past decade, with over 40 operations deployed since 2000. This article takes stock of lessons learned from these experiences and the implications they hold for improving the effectiveness of future peace operations in Africa. [ENGLISH] [FRENCH] [PORTUGUESE]Navies versus Coast Guards: Defining the Roles of African Maritime Security Forces
Piracy, illegal fishing, and narcotics and human trafficking are growing rapidly in Africa and represent an increasingly central component of the threat matrix facing the continent. However, African states’ maritime security structures are often misaligned with the challenges posed and need coast guard capabilities and an array of intra-governmental partnerships.
[PDF] English
[PDF] French
[PDF] PortugueseU.S. Security Engagement in Africa
By William M. Bellamy. Security Brief. Africa Center for Strategic Studies, June 2009.
A significant development in Africa over the past decade has been the generalized lessening of violent conflict. Revitalized, expanded international peacekeeping, bolstered by a newly launched African Union (AU) determination to tackle security challenges, has reinforced this trend. But, much more cohesive interagency coordination under strong White House direction is required if the United States is to contribute to Africa’s sustained stability given the region’s persistent conditions of poverty, inequality, and weak governance.
[PDF] English; [PDF] French; [PDF] Portuguese
For additional reading go to: Africa Security Challenges
