Promoting Collective Security In Africa PDF Download

This thesis examined the dawn of a collective security mechanism in the new Africa Union and the ECOWAS sub-region called the Africa Peace and Security Architecture. It looked at the framework for the ECOWAS sub region and its potential for success. Success however depended on the timely projection of forces. A qualitative research methodology applied for the study analysed data from five case studies on the African continent against an analytical framework of commitment, balance of power and host nation consent to determine the basis for a timely intervention. The study revealed that most African governments lacked commitment towards the protocols of the Union and in the rare case where they showed willingness to commit troops, they lacked the capacity to project forces into a mission area. Hegemons, UN and international community have consistently taken the lead in crisis intervention on the continent either by deploying troops or supporting the African Union with resources. The study concluded that for collective security to take off in Africa, the continent must improve its capacity, by developing a common strategy and improving on its cooperation with the international community and allies.