2003 IMTA Proceedings - International Military Testing Association

It was not surprising that decolonisation created a new set of challenges which the first
generation of African statesman was ill - equipped to handle. Most of the transitions to
independence were often bloody. The added problem was the poor definition of borders as a
result of the pragmatic decision taken by the Organisation for African Unity (OAU) to accept
colonial defined borders. This in itself let to continuous conflicts as a result of increasing scarcity
of resources. Being unable to come into terms with the ethnic, linguistic, and religious diversity
within the preordained borders, individual African States have found it difficult to build the
national identities which are crucial in creating stability
In addition, the cold war also had profound effects on African Governments and security.
Both the Soviet Union and the United States courted the newly-independent African States (as
well as liberation movements) in an effort to win converts to their respective causes. As a result,
they often supported authoritarian, corrupt, and oppressive Governments. With the end of the
superpower rivalry, many African leaders could not rely on the accustomed backing of the
outside power to lend much-needed political legitimacy, financial and military support to their
regimes. This led to disgruntled and oppressed groups openly and forcefully challenging the
legitimacy of these leaders and the weakened regimes increasingly started to be susceptible to
domestic unrest and violence
At the same time, it may be stated that today’s crisis in Africa were also brought about by the
leaders themselves. The style of government pervasive on the continent has not been conducive
to development, democracy, and peace. Many leaders of the newly-independent African
countries tried to impose national unity by consolidating political and economic power in the
State. This impacted badly on governance with inefficient bureaucracies and corruption rampant
and tolerated.
The economic and fiscal policies of many African States had failed and largely Westernimposed
solutions have created new problems. After the prices of many of their exports slumped
in the 1970's, African States borrowed heavily to maintain Government expenditures. Initially,
Western States and institutions readily lent money on the shared expectation that commodity
prices would recover. By and large, African countries did not invest the borrowed funds
prudently and their debts mounted. Waste and corruption exacerbated the situation.
Subsequently, the international financial institutions restricted access to international loans. As a
result, many African States are still servicing their debts and this has become their
preoccupation. Social responsibilities that were once the purview of the State have been
substantially ignored or subcontracted to others with varying degrees of success. States are also
finding it difficult to provide for their own security. A lot of African military do not posses the
human and material resources or the discipline and inclination to defend the State. To establish
and maintain order, some African States have called upon private security firms (or corporate
mercenaries). This in itself has serious repercussions for peace, sovereignty and self
determination of nations and its people
The political, economic, social, and military challenges to the State have been enormous to
the extent that some writers/authors have suggested that some parts of Africa be re-colonized for
humanitarian purposes until such time when the state would be prepared to govern effectively
and humanely
The proliferation of rebel movements, small arms, and refugees all adversely affect a State’s
ability to govern, and this also threatens regional security. Intra-State conflicts usually spill over
national borders frequently assume regional dimensions. Whereas States have historically
supported-or denied support for-insurgencies in other countries as a means of retaining or
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45 th Annual Conference of the International Military Testing Association
Pensacola, Florida, 3-6 November 2003