The Future of African Peace Operations: From the Janjaweed to Boko Haram (Africa Now) - Softcover

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1783607084 ISBN 13: 9781783607082

Publisher: Zed Books, 2016

Synopsis

Increasingly, African leaders have been making greater efforts to safeguard the peace and stability of their nations. With threats ranging from Islamist insurgencies to an Ebola pandemic, the realities of protecting their citizens within these complex conflict zones have revealed a widening divide between the theory and practice of peacekeeping in Africa.
 
The Future of African Peace Operations provides the first—and long overdue—comprehensive overview and analysis of peacekeeping efforts in Africa. With the African Union’s newly created African Standby Force becoming fully operational in 2015, this timely study argues that governmental response to these challenges will require a unique and distinctively African model of peacekeeping, as well as a radical revision of the current security framework. Analyzing high-profile case studies, such as the operations against Boko Haram and Al-Shabaab, this book contains practical insights from both academics and practitioners and will be a vital resource for policy makers, researchers, and anyone seeking insights into the immense security challenges that Africa faces today.

About this title

About the Author:

Cedric de Coning is a senior researcher with the Peace Operations and Peacebuilding Research Group at the Norwegian Institute of International Affairs. Linnéa Gelot is a senior researcher at the Nordic Africa Institute in Sweden and a senior lecturer in peace and development studies at the School of Global Studies. John Karlsrud is a senior research fellow and manager of the Training for Peace program at the Norwegian Institute of International Affairs.

Review:

“The editors have assembled a highly qualified team of African analysts and practitioners to shed considerable light on an important question: how effective is the emerging ‘African model’ of stabilization operations?” (Paul D. Williams, George Washington University)

“From its outset the peacekeeping project has found its greatest challenges in Africa. This collection, written for the most part by African researchers with frontline knowledge, and offering clear and practical proposals, should be warmly welcomed by those in positions to shape policy in Africa and beyond.” (Norrie MacQueen, University of St Andrews)

“For policymakers in both international organizations and national institutions . . . the book is a valuable addition to the contemporary discourse.” (Academic Council on the United Nations System)

“The chapters show a deep knowledge of the intricate architecture within and between organisations charged with peace and security. . . . This book is accessible, timely, and highly recommended.” (The Round Table)

“The contributors to this outstanding volume provide interesting views from a wide angle on the future of peace operations in Africa. This book provides policy makers and practitioners on the various political, security and humanitarian levels excellent food for thought and discussion.” (Maj Gen (ret) Patrick Cammaert, former military adviser and force commander, UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations)

“A much-needed comprehensive overview of the emergence of an African model of peace operations. It brings together leading African experts who offer a frank analysis of recent developments in African security institutions and policy responses.” (Thierry Tardy, senior analyst, EU Institute for Security Studies)

“With a formidable, multinational group of authors, this book charts the political, policy and practical nuances of the task as Africans takes charge of building peace in Africa. This is a very welcome and timely aid to our understanding of these issues.” (Dan Smith, director, Stockholm International Peace Research Institute)

“The African Union is taking an ever-larger role in peace operations on the continent. How are they to be financed? And how do the African Union, the United Nations, and Africa’s regional economic communities relate to one another? This invaluable and timely book charts the complex challenges faced by African peace operations today.” (Alex de Waal, executive director of The World Peace Foundation, and author of Darfur: A Short History of a Long War)

“This book is a welcome and timely addition to the literature and discourse on Africa’s future in the world of peace operations, and it is hoped that it would positively impact the shape and design of Africa’s peace operations in the near future.” (Henrietta Mensa-Bonsu, director, Legon Centre for International Affairs and Diplomacy, and member of the UN Secretary-General’s High Level Independent Panel on Peace Operations)

“An important book. It puts a much needed focus on the changing nature and role of African peace operations, and is a must-read for academics, practitioners and students working with issues related to African security.” (Thomas Mandrup, Royal Danish Defence College and Stellenbosch University)

About this edition

• Publisher: Zed Books
• Publication date: 2016
• ISBN 10: 1783607084
• ISBN 13: 9781783607082
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 168
• Editor: Coning Cedric De, Gelot Linnéa, Karlsrud John