Abstract
The analysis of the security, civil-military relations, and governance crises in Africa generally takes for granted the post-colonial arrangement and uses the nation-state as the unit of analysis. Invariably, the prescriptions never go beyond the confines of what could be dubbed the "Berlin Confcrence/OAU framework." The daunting security challenges Africa faces as the 21st century gets under way necessitate bold, "off the beaten path" analysis and solution that move beyond this framework and the restrictions of the antiquated principles and notions on which it is predicated: the sacrosanct national sovereignty and the "national" army as its symbol. In light of recent developments on the continent, a diagnosis and formula inspired by (too long overlooked) Pan-African principles and ideals can prove a valuable response to Africa's security and stability woes. The insignificance of Africa's "national" armies in the new world order's strategic configuration, their glaring inadequacy to meet the (redefined) security needs of African peoples, as well as the potential benefits to be derived from a genuine Pan-African approach to security and political stability issues are unmistakable. Indeed such a democratic, supranational, regional solution is an indispensable first step toward the Pan-African economic integration called for insistently.
Recommended Citation
N'Diaye, Boubacar
(2001)
"Beyond the ‘Berlin Conference/OAU Framework’: A Pan-African Analysis of Africa’s Security Crisis,"
Journal of African Policy Studies: Vol. 7:
No.
1, Article 8.
Available at:
https://ecommons.udayton.edu/joaps/vol7/iss1/8