The Dynamics of Us Africom on Africa's Security Challenges
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UNIVERSITY OF NAIROBI THE DYNAMICS OF US AFRICOM ON AFRICA’s SECURITY CHALLENGES By MICHAEL MBAKISO MUKOKOMANI Reg. No: R50/ 75941/2014 SUPERVISOR: DR MARTIN OUMA A Dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements of the Masters in International Studies at the Institute of Diplomacy and International Studies (IDIS) March 2015 i Table of Contents PRELIMINARY 1. Cover Page………………………………………………………………………………i 2. Table of Contents………………………………………………………………….…....ii 3. Abstract…………………………………………………………………………...…….vii 4. Acknowledgement...………………………………………………………………….....viii 5. Dedication……………………………………………………………………………….ix 6. Declaration……………………………………………………………………………….x 7. List of Tables and Figures……………………………………………………………….xi 8. List of Abbreviations and Acronyms……………………………………………………xi ii CHAPTER ONE 1.0 Introduction………………………………………………………………………………..1 1.1 Background to the Dynamics of the US AFRICOM on Africa Security Challenges……..2 1.2 Statement of the Research Problem……………………………………………………….7 1.3 Justification of the Study………………………………………………………………….8 1.4 Objectives of the Research……………………………………………………………….9 1.5 Literature Review………………………………………………………………………....9 1.5.1 Summary of Gaps in the Literature Review..…………………………………...……….21 1.6 Theoretical Framework…………………………………………………………………..22 1.7 Theoretical Model………………………………………………………………………..25 1.8 Methodology of the Research………………….………………………………………...26 iii CHAPTER TWO The Political and Economic Impacts of the Africa- US AFRICOM Security Dynamics in Africa 2.0 The Political and Economic Impacts of the Africa- US AFRICOM Security Dynamics in Africa……………………………………………………………………………………27 2.1 Introduction…………………………………………………………….…………..…….27 2.2 The Political Impacts of the Africa- US AFRICOM Dynamics………………………….27 2.3 The Political Economy Approach to the US AFRICOM………………………………...30 2.4 The Economic Impacts of the Africa- US AFRICOM Dynamics………………………...37 2.5 Chapter Summary...……………………………………………………………………….44 CHAPTER THREE The Preparedness of Africa’s Regional Security Strategy in Tackling Security Challenges in Africa. 3.0 The Preparedness of Africa’s Regional Security Strategy in Tackling Security Challenges in Africa………………………………………………………………………………….45 3.1 Introduction…………………………………………………….…………………….…..45 3.2 The African Peace and Security Architecture……………………………………………45 3.3 Efficacy of the Conflict Management Mechanism and Engagement in Human SecurityChallenges……………………………………………………………………..48 iv 3.3.1 The Peace and Security Council…………………………………………………………51 3.3.2 The Continental Early Warning System…………………………………………………54 3.3.3 The African Standby Force Capacity to Tackle Security Challenges……………………55 3.3.4 The Panel of the Wise……………………………………………………………………58 3.3.5 The AU Peace Fund…………………………………………………………………...…59 3.4 Challenges to Regionalization in Tackling Africa’s Security Challenges and Conflict Management…………………………………………………………………………….59 3.4.1 Political Gaps…………………………………………………………………………….61 3.4.2 Bureaucratic Gaps………………………………………………………………………..62 3.4.3 Military Gaps……………………………………………………………………………..63 3.4.4 Civilian Gaps……………………………………………………………………………..64 3.4.5 Infrastructure Gaps……………………………………………………………………….64 3.5 Chapter Summary………………………………………………………………………....65 CHAPTER FOUR Assistance of the USAFRICOM to the AU Peace and Security Architecture 4.0 Assistance of the USAFRICOM to the AU Peace and Security Architecture……….......70 4.1 Introduction…………………………………………………………………………........70 v 4.2 The US AFRICOM’s Role and Intentions in Africa…………………………………….70 4.3 The Role of China and the European Union in Africa…………………………………..79 4.4 Chapter Summary.……………………………………………………………………….86 CHAPTER FIVE Summary, Conclusions and Recommendations 5.0 Introduction…………….…………………………………………..………………………..87 5.1 Summary………………………………………………………………………………….87 5.2 Conclusions……………………………………………………………………………….90 5.3 Recommendations………………………………………………………………………...92 vi Abstract This research study discusses the topic US Africa Command and the dynamics it brings into Africa’s security challenges. It seeks to trace the extent to which Africa is saddled with complex security challenges that are both state centric and human related. These security challenges impede on Africa’s socio- economic development. Among the most inimical challenges are; civil wars, terrorism, rampant transnational crimes, poaching, and proliferation of small arms and light weapons. Pandemic diseases like HIV/AIDS, Ebola and malaria have also not spared the continent. The study looks at the political and economic dynamics of the US AFRICOM in Africa to try and determine if these may escalate Africa’s insecurity. An overview of the military industrial complex and regional security complexes is discussed to determine the real causes and dynamics to the security dilemma in Africa. The studyexplores a brief look at China’s role in Africa and the extent to which both America and China are entangled in a hegemonic war that is likely to erupt in Africa. The study uses to some extent the AU peace and security architecture to explore Africa’s preparedness to tackle security challenges and as an early warning mechanism for outbreaks of conflict.In the main, the study argues that a hegemonic war between the US and China is the real security challenge with a possibility of erupting in Africa rather than the AFRICOM per se. vii Acknowledgement I wish to acknowledge the dedication of my supervisor Dr Martin Ouma who committed considerable and invaluable time towards guiding me in the production of this work. Above all the quest for knowledgeand informed decision making remains indebted to his valuable contribution. I also acknowledge the support from my family and the opportunity afforded me to attend this programme by my organization, especially my immediate commander, Major General G Morake, Commander, Ground Forces Command Botswana Defence Force. viii DEDICATION This dissertation is dedicated to the memory of my father, Leonard LiphanguMukokomania.k.a.‘LL Cool J’, who passed away in 1997. I celebrate your life and your staunch dedication to the quest to acquire knowledge. Your towering persona and memory will never depart from us Mdambele. I am also greatly indebted to the love and support of my wife Monnye, my two beautiful daughters Lebogang and Katso and to the pillar that is my mother Gladys all of whom carried me forward during the time that I was in NDC Kenya. This paper is also dedicated to the memory of the pioneers of my great continent; Sir Seretsekhama, Kwame Nkrumah, Nelson Mandela, Oliver Tambo, Jomo Kenyatta, Mwalimo Julius Nyerere, Kenneth Kaunda and many more that I did not mention but whose dedication and reputation to the African Renaissance goes without saying. ix Declaration This serves to declare that the following research is my original work and has never been presented for the award of any degree in any other university. Signature: …………………………………… Date: ……………………….. Name: Michael MbakisoMukokomani Reg No_________________________ University of Nairobi This research work has been submitted for examination in partial fulfillment of the Masters of Arts with my approval as the University supervisor. Signature: _________________________ Date: ___________________ Name: Dr Martin Ouma University of Nairobi x List of Tables and Figures FIGURES Page Figure 1: Theoretical Model 19 Figure 2: Regional Military Expenditures 2012 86 Figure 3: World Military Expenditures 1988- 2012 87 Figure 4: Mo Ibrahim Index of African Governance Rating for Africa- Safety and Security 88 Figure 5: The Human Development Overall Africa Rating 89 Figure 6: African Standby Force Regions 90 Figure 7: Capabilities for AU Conflict Management 91 Figure 8: Number of UN Peacekeeping Uniformed Personnel, 2000–2010 92 xi List of Abbreviations and Acronyms ACBSP African Coastal and Border Security Programme ACDS African Chiefs of Defence and Security ACOTA African Contingency Operations Training and Assistance Program ACRI African Crisis Response Initiative ACRF African Crisis Response Force AMISOM AU Mission in Somalia APC Armored Personnel Carriers APSA African Peace and Security Architecture APF African Peace Facility ASF African Standby Force AU African Union CAAU Constitutive Act of the African Union CENSAD Community of Sahel-Saharan States CEWS Continental Early Warning System CEWARN Central Africa Early Warning System CivPol Civilian Police COMESA Common Market of East and Southern Africa CJTF-HOA Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa DRC Democratic Republic of the Congo ECOBRIG Economic Community of West African Countries Standby Brigade xii ECOWAS Economic Community of West African Countries ECOWARN ECOWAS Early Warning System EAC East African Community EASBRIG East African Community Standby Brigade EDA Excess Defence Articles EEZ Exclusive Economic Zone FOCAC Forum of Chinese- Africa Cooperation FOMAC Force Multinationale de l’Afrique Central FOB Forward Operating Base IMET International Military Education and Training IMO Intermediate Military Objectives IR International Relations ISDSC Inter State Defence and Security Committee LRA Lord’s Resistance Army MIIB Mo Ibrahim Institute of Governance MSC Military Staff Committee NASBRIG North Africa Regional Standby Brigade NVD Night VisionDevices OECD Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development OFR Operation Focus Relief PANWISE Pan African Network of the Wise xiii PLANELM Planning Element POW Panel of the Wise PSO Peace Support Operations PSOD Peace Support Operations Division RECs Regional Economic Centers SADC Southern African Development Community