Suchergebnisse

This book illustrates how Africa's defence and security domains have been radically altered by drastic changes in world politics and local ramifications. First, the contributions of numerous authors highlight the transnational dimensions of counterterrorism and counterinsurgency in Africa and reveal the roles played by African states and regional organisations in the global war on terror. Second, the volume critically evaluates the emerging regional architectures of countering terrorism, insurgency, and organised violence on the continent through the African Union Counterterrorism Framework (AU-CTF) and Regional Security Complexes (RSC). Third, the book sheds light on the counterterrorism and counterinsurgency (CT-COIN) structures and mechanisms established by specific African states to contain, degrade, and eliminate terrorism, insurgency, and organised violence on the continent, particularly the successes, constraints, and challenges of the emerging CT-COIN mechanisms. Finally, the volume highlights the entry of non-state actors - such as civil society, volunteer groups, private security companies, and defence contractors - into the theatre of counterterrorism and counterinsurgency in Africa through volunteerism, community support for state-led CT-COIN Operations, and civil-military cooperation (CIMIC).

Examines the opinions of commentators & observers about the 2007 general election in Nigeria; the motives behind the comments; & the credibility of their claims. President Obasanjo & other leaders maintain that the elections were a success in spite of fraud & violence. In contrast, both local & foreign observers strongly condemned the elections; however, the authenticity of their claims depends upon how far & wide they witnessed the electoral process. Questions related to the modus operandi & relative influence of local, European, & American observers are discussed. It is maintained that the Nigerian political class defended the elections on the basis that "half a loaf is of bread is better than none." Their desire to defend the status quo has taken precedence over democratic morality. Observer groups were unanimous in their opinion that the political class in Nigeria is unable & unwilling to conduct free & fair elections. Important disparities between foreign & local monitors in terms of their access to funding, methodology, & information dissemination are pointed out. Tables, References. J. Lindroth

Cover -- Half Title -- Series Page -- Title Page -- Copyright Page -- Dedication -- Table of Contents -- List of Tables -- List of Figures -- List of Contributors -- Acknowledgements -- About the Editors -- Chapter 1 Introduction: The State, Rural Violence, and National Security in Contemporary Nigeria -- Part I Conceptual and Contextual Parameters -- Chapter 2 Origin and Evolution of Cattle Rustling and Banditry in Nigeria -- Chapter 3 Political Power Play, the Law, and Rural Conflicts in Nigeria -- Chapter 4 Peacebuilding, Fragility, Cattle Rustling, and Armed Banditry in Nigeria -- Part II Triggers of Rural Violence in Nigeria -- Chapter 5 Ecological Disasters, Climate Change, and Rural Violence in Nigeria -- Chapter 6 Resource War and Rural Violence in Nigeria: The Case of Farmer-Herder Conflict -- Chapter 7 Kidnapping for Ransom, Cattle Rustling, and Armed Banditry as Emerging "Sources of Quick Wealth" in Nigeria -- Chapter 8 Socio-Economic Impact of Rural Banditry and Cattle Rustling in Nigeria's North West Region -- Chapter 9 Biting the Fingers That Feed: Militias and Rural Host Communities in Nigeria's Niger Delta -- Part III Emerging Responses -- Chapter 10 The State, Governance, and Crisis of Security: The Management of Rural Violence in Nigeria's Fourth Republic -- Chapter 11 National and State Institutional Responses to Cattle Rustling and Rural Banditry in Northern Nigeria -- Part IV Conclusion -- Chapter 12 The Management of Rural Violence in Contemporary Nigeria: The Way Forward -- Index.

'This is a timely contribution that responds to the concerns of a renowned political scientist, Joseph Nye, who expressed deep concern about the widening gap between academic theory and foreign policy practice.' Professor Eghosa Osaghae, Director-General, Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA) The book is a welcome addition and deserves a distinct place among the many academic works on Nigerias foreign policy. The rich insights by authors carefully selected to contribute to this book will be useful for both academics and policy makers with deep interest in the area of Nigerias foreign policy architecture. Otunba Olusegun Akinsanya, mni, Former Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to Ethiopia A timely work of scholarship devoid of propaganda offering a rich mix of optimism and criticism of Nigerias foreign policy in the past 60 years. Ambassador Zango Abdu, mni, Retired Diplomat This book covers critical issues in Nigerias external relations since 1960. As an independent nation, Nigeria has stood out as the most populous black country in the world and contributed immensely to the search for solutions to pressing international issues, notably in Africa affairs. Nigeria has also participated actively in global affairs and used the platform of international organisation to advance her national interests, cognisant also of its regional and global obligations and responsibilities. Contributors to this thought-provoking book make a strong case for Nigeria to press for a foreign policy that puts Nigerian people at the centre. One of the strong points also emanating from the contributors of this book is the imperative for Nigeria to address domestic challenges that continue to impinge on the countrys external image. Usman A. Tar is Endowed Professor of Defence and Security Studies, and Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences at the Nigerian Defence Academy. Sharkdam Wapmuk is Associate Professor at the Department of Defence and Security Studies, Nigerian Defence Academy.

Understanding the formation and consequences of formal military alliances is a research area that is central to the study of international relations. Military alliances help define and shape the nature of interactions between countries, and by structuring international obligations; they help construct the nature of the international system. Over time, countries in Sub-Saharan Africa have been faced with myriads of security challenges, ranging from militancy, ethno-religious crisis, political conflict, human and drug trafficking, to trans-border crimes. In recent times however, terrorism and insurgency have become a major security threat to the sovereignty of these countries, particularly the threat of Boko Haram in the Northeast of Nigeria and countries of the Lake Chad region; hence the formation of the Multi-National Joint Task Force as a military alliance to combat terrorism. The paper is thus, an attempt to investigate the role of the Multi-National Joint Task Force (MNJTF) in countering Boko Haram terrorism within Nigeria, Niger, Chad, and Cameroon. In interrogating the above problem, this paper scooped from secondary data and employed the Simon Walt's theory of alliance as analytical framework. It is the position of the paper that the MNJTF has made remarkable achievement in the fight against Boko Haram. In the final analysis, the paper recommends, among other things, the need for participating states in the MNJTF to be much more committed in terms of funding and purchase of military equipment to further enhance military preparedness and capabilities.

Examines spaces that challenge the dominant thinking & tend to be avoided by mainstream publications, such as the workshop on, "Trade Unions, Democracy & Working Class Struggles in Africa," that was hosted by London Metropolitan U's Department of Applied Social Sciences (DASS) on 25 April 2007. Although forums like this are welcome attempts to show how social forces in the global South are dealing with the challenges of neo-liberal globalization, democratization, & development, it is maintained that they should not be separated from previous historical, intellectual projects. Other issues discussed include the emergence of radical forums aimed at empowering local peoples; the repressive tendencies of neo-liberal dogma/policies; & forums that promote critical discussions about exploitative policies, such as transnational, virtual, & intellectual networks. The DASS event is described in detail. It is concluded that the emergence of spaces for engaging issues of democracy, inclusivity, & popular struggles offer hope for reversing the adverse effects of globalization & neo-liberalism on marginalized classes in Africa & the global South. Adapted from the source document.