OPERATIONALIZATION OF SECURITY AND DEFENCE GOVERNANCE IN AFRICA: A HISTORICAL PROFILE

Africa, before the advent of independence, had its own model of security governance that was purposely based on domestic defence. However, armed conflict, peace, and security in Africa have raised serious concern and attention both on the domestic and international scales in recent moments. The study of defence and security governance lies at the heart of international relations. In this sphere, aspects of defence and security governance have undergone significant changes, though with intense debate. The end of some historical conflicts has taken place in a context of a slight decrease in the number of armed conflicts and the consolidation of post-conflict reconstruction processes. Moreover, African regional and sub-regional organisations have staged an increasingly more active internal shift in matters related to defence and security governance, encouraged by the idea of promoting African solutions to African problems. Thus, the aim of this paper is to examine the role of history in the understanding of defence and security governance in Africa during different historical moments. Methodologically, the data for the paper was sourced through secondary means of data collection, and the historical descriptive and analytic approach was adopted. The study reveals that post-colonial conflicts in Africa, which have gained more ground in nature and magnitude, remain a major concern for African stakeholders. The paper contends that while defence and security governance has changed significantly, it still faces numerous challenges. The paper recommends a pragmatic change and refocusing on security issues in Africa in order to arrest the bottlenecks militating against defence and security governance in Africa.