Lexington Books Africa in the New World Order: Peace and Security Challenges in the Twenty-First Century

This book examines the role of the emerging African nations in the new international order of the twenty-first century. Since the end of the Cold War, little significance has been placed on the African continent in the security and political considerations of the Western world. However, post-9/11 international security has been redefined, and new challenges have been identified. Thus, at the beginning of the twenty-first century, Africa is facing a variety of new security challenges. Africa has become an increasingly important battleground in the fight against terrorism. Since the beginning of 2011, the new revolutions, now known as the Arab Spring, that swept through North Africa have created new challenges for the African continent and are compounding the African peoples' struggles for poverty alleviation, state stability, security, socio-political and socio-economic development, democracy, and good governance. In addition to these crises of civil war, ethnic conflict, state insecurity, and rampant corruption at all levels, the HIV/AIDS pandemic has ravaged the continent for the past four decades. The only major pan-African organization-the African Union-is unable to lead and defend the continent effectively. At this crucial period when the continent is confronted with these myriad of security challenges, it needs effective, strong leadership that possesses both human and natural resources to play a leadership role in Africa and lead the continent in the new global order of the twenty-first century. The contributors to this volume analyze many of these issues and place them in the wider context of global security. Review In this fascinating and engaging volume, Abegunrin and the other contributors take the reader through the multi-dimensional security problems and challenges facing Africa in the twenty-first century. The work utilizes an interdisciplinary framework that integrates the tools of various disciplines to skillfully analyze these complex issues. Compelling, insightful, and persuasive, this book is an important addition to the literature on African peace and security studies. It is not only policy relevant; it is a valuable resource for the general reader interested in Africa in the contemporary global order.--Adebayo Oyebade, Professor of History, Tennessee State University A collection of eleven well-researched and well-written essays assembled by one of Africa's finest and most brilliant scholars of our times, Africa in the New World Order painstakingly addresses major problems which have bedeviled Africa's orderly march to progress, growth, and development. It is indisputably a curtain raiser and a must read for anyone interested in understanding peace and security challenges in Africa.--Adeoye A. Akinsanya, Nasarawa State University This edited volume deals with the state of affairs in Africa, half a century after independence, and its role in the increasingly interdependent world order of the 21st century. Africa, according to the book, has a rich legacy and is part of the rich narrative of humanity. The post-independence reality, however, demonstrates that the lack of good governance, the security dilemma in general, and the dearth of selfless and transformative leadership have complicates situations in Africa, hampers development, and disempowers the people. This book is informative, educational, and is a good read for scholars, diplomats, graduate students, and the general public interested to learn about the economic, political, and social intricacies within the continent and beyond.--Getachew Metaferia, Morgan State University About the Author Olayiwola Abegunrin is professor of international relations and African studies at Howard University.