Issues of Governance, Security, and Development in Contemporary Africa

Governance, security, and development are essential for Africa's quest for strategic optimal independence and self-reliance. This book offers an interdisciplinary analysis of the challenges and prospects of contemporary Africa, arguing for decolonizing the terms of reference for nation-building, statecraft, and national development agenda.

Format: Hardback
Length: 428 pages
Publication date: 15 December 2023
Publisher: Lexington Books

Governance, security, and development are three essential components of a dialectical nexus that is both dominant and determinant for any objective and fruitful quest for understanding the trajectory of a country, a region, or, in the case of Africa, a continent, from a colonial past to a neocolonial and meta-colonial present, and toward a future of strategic optimal independence and self-reliance. The colonial past and the ensuing neocolonial and meta-colonial present have made these critical components and the dialectical nexus that they form particularly challenging for the African continent. For this reason, Issues of Governance, Security, and Development in Contemporary Africa offers an in-depth, interdisciplinary analysis of the challenges that contemporary Africa faces within these critical areas, as well as the resources and prospects that the continent possesses and can leverage to overcome the said challenges.

Using case studies involving a range of countries across the continent, Mohamed Saliou Camara, Alem Hailu, and Sabella O. Abidde argue that Africa needs to decolonize the terms of reference that guide its nation-building, statecraft, and national development agenda in ways that will facilitate the establishment of viable systems of governance and security, and the promotion of genuine development.

The challenges that contemporary Africa faces within these critical areas are manifold. Firstly, the continent is plagued by political instability, corruption, and authoritarianism, which hinder economic growth, social development, and human rights. Secondly, Africa faces significant environmental challenges, including climate change, deforestation, and resource depletion, which threaten the continent's food security, water resources, and biodiversity. Thirdly, Africa is plagued by poverty, inequality, and unemployment, which contribute to social unrest and political instability.

Despite these challenges, Africa possesses significant resources and prospects that can be leveraged to overcome them. Firstly, the continent has a vast and diverse population, with a potential for economic growth and innovation. Secondly, Africa has abundant natural resources, including minerals, oil, and gas, which can be used to drive economic development and create jobs. Thirdly, Africa has a strong cultural heritage and a vibrant artistic and cultural scene, which can be used to promote tourism and cultural exchange and create economic opportunities.

To address these challenges, Africa needs to adopt a holistic and integrated approach that involves all stakeholders, including the government, the private sector, civil society, and international organizations. This approach should focus on promoting governance and security, as well as promoting genuine development.

Promoting governance and security involves strengthening the rule

strengthening the rule of law, promoting transparency and accountability, and combating corruption. This can be achieved through the establishment of independent institutions, such as the judiciary, the audit office, and the anti-corruption commission, as well as through the promotion of good governance practices, such as the rule of law, transparency, and accountability.

Promoting genuine development involves addressing the root causes of poverty, inequality, and unemployment. This can be achieved through the promotion of inclusive economic growth, which involves creating jobs and promoting sustainable development. This can be achieved through the promotion of investment in infrastructure, education, and healthcare, as well as through the promotion of entrepreneurship and innovation.

In conclusion, governance, security, and development are three critical components of a dialectical nexus that is both dominant and determinant for any objective and fruitful quest for understanding the trajectory of a country, a region, or, in the case of Africa, a continent, from a colonial past to a neocolonial and meta-colonial present, and toward a future of strategic optimal independence and self-reliance. The colonial past and the ensuing neocolonial and meta-colonial present have made these critical components and the dialectical nexus that they form particularly challenging for the African continent. However, Africa possesses significant resources and prospects that can be leveraged to overcome these challenges. By adopting a holistic and integrated approach that involves all stakeholders, Africa can promote governance and security, as well as promote genuine development. This will require a commitment to promoting the rule of law, transparency and accountability, and combating corruption, as well as a commitment to addressing the root causes of poverty, inequality, and unemployment.

Weight: 806g
Dimension: 159 x 236 x 35 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781666902716