The course seeks to develop students’ understanding and ability to analyse the nature and dynamics of security in the African continent. It begins with a discussion of the neo-classical foundations of the state in Africa and examines some contemporary theoretical imperatives on security studies in Africa such as the constructivist or critical perspectives on Africa. The course clarifies important concepts such as ‘securitisation’, identity, ethnicity, citizenship, security communities, security cultures, biopolitics, dysfunctional aspects of climate change, transnational threats, migration and societal security. It further examines the African Security Architecture and examines the state of human security beginning with a conceptual orientation of Human security in Africa and links the analysis to conflicts that draw much on the experiences of Kenya, Ethiopia, Sierra Leone and Liberia, the Sahel regions, among others. The discussion of human security is extended to include critical issues of religion, environmental change, human rights and migration on the African continent. The course further examines human security challenges facing Africa such as cyber-crime, cross-border crimes, money laundering, piracy and militancy activities such as radicalised groups’ actions (Boko Haram, among others) in the continent. The discussions of the theoretical considerations are illustrated with practical examples across much of African states. It concludes by delineating for discussion, some of the measures for promoting security and human security such as Early-Warning Systems, among others. The lecturer-led interactive discussions are supported with graphical illustrations using maps and documentaries. After completing this course, students are expected to have developed capacity to analyse the African security terrain and how to deal with imminent threats.
LEGON CENTER FOR INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS AND DIPLOMACY.
