Security-Development Nexus in Africa : Progress Towards the Agenda 2063 and Sustainable Development Goals

Abstract

This book is a riveting account of major political, economic and social issues that are pertinent to the African continent. At its core, the book explores the ever-important matrix of security-development nexus as this plays out on the African continent. One of the main concerns of African states and, indeed, the continental organisation, the AU, and its RECs, has been regional integration. But how do you achieve economic integration, for example, in the context of poor intra-continental transport infrastructure? What about the deep-seated conflicts in some parts of Africa, like the Great Lakes Region; how do you attain economic integration and development against this background? The many contributions by some of the foremost scholars on Africa and the issues that affect the continent offer pathways to answers around how to achieve an Africa that is developed, secure and modernised. The authors provide captivating accounts of the histories, present realities and possible future scenarios that are at play as the African continent aspires to attain the Agenda 2063 and the SDGs. Thus, themes like economic development and integration, transport infrastructure development, conflicts and terrorism, migration, peacebuilding and sustainable development, human security and food security are some of the primary themes that the book looks at.“This book provides a refreshing perspective on Africa’s development challenges, masterfully unpacking key intersections between sustainable development and security. It critiques well-worn paradigms while providing forward and alternative frames of understanding development, placing a greater premium on the transformative potential of continental integration through initiatives like the African Continental Free Trade Area. It also tackles difficult themes such as climate-induced disasters, land conflicts, food insecurity, and emerging cybersecurity threats. Thought-provoking and deeply relevant, this volume is an indispensable resource for scholars and decision-makers committed to shaping Africa’s future.” — Mzukisi Qobo, Ambassador of South Africa to the World Trade Organisation, Geneva“This text is timely in tackling pertinent discourses of international relations at a time of increasing echoes of re-membering and reclamation of Africa’s agency. By establishing an organic link between security and development on one hand and on the other Agenda 2063 and SDGs, the Editors and contributors of this exceptional text have successfully relocated Africa’s agency following its dislocation for the past 650 years.” – Dr Alexander Madanha Rusero, Head, Department of International Relations and Diplomacy, Africa University, Mutare, ZimbabweSiphumelele Duma is a Senior Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Johannesburg’s Institute for Pan-African Thought and ConversationRich Mashimbye is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the Institute for Pan-African Thought and Conversation