The Evolution of African Armies : From Indigenous and Colonial Forces to Modern Military Forces

This book investigates how African armies in post-conflict societies are evolving and adapting to new and emerging threats. It questions our past and current knowledge of African armies, arguing that current trends in their evolution suggest we need to rethink our understanding, given the vast tasks they are deployed to handle.

This book investigates how African armies in post-conflict societies are evolving and adapting to new and emerging threats. In recent years, multiple extremely complex armed conflicts have contributed to chronic instability and vulnerabilities in several African states and regions. This book investigates several key case studies to assess the development, deployment and use of African armies in different conflict environments. In particular, the book examines how African states have utilised bilateral partnerships, the deployment to international peacekeeping operations and military training to enhance security and military capacities as a way to tackle both emerging and existing threats at home. Ultimately, the book questions our past and current knowledge of African armies, arguing that current trends in their evolution suggest we need to rethink our understanding, given the vast tasks they are deployed to handle. As a result, the book seeks to explore ways in which we can invest in African armies that positively contribute to development and sustainable peace across the continent. Bringing together valuable empirical insights and critical conversations on the evolution of modern African armies, this book will be an important read for international and national policy actors, and for researchers working on African politics, conflict, security, peacekeeping, international relations, and sustainable development. Andrew E. Yaw Tchie is a senior research fellow at the Norwegian Institute of International Affairs (NUPI), Norway, where he manages the Training for Peace Programme. He is also a Visiting Professor at the University of Buckingham, UK and the Editor in Chief of the African Solutions Journal with the Institute for Peace and Security Studies, Ethiopia.