Peace, Governance and Security in Africa: Getting It Right

In 2017, Africa recorded nearly 18,000 violent or conflict-related events (large-scale wars, violent conflicts, and riots of socio-political nature). While intra-state and inter-state conflicts have been in a steady decline, there has been a noticeable increase in low intensity conflicts. Most African governments have responded to the latter with repression, arbitrary arrests, and detention as well as communication shutdown. Literature on the state of Africa’s peace and security challenges generally attribute this macabre situation on the doorsteps of the inability of African leaders to address issues of governance. Using qualitative data generated from interviews as well as secondary data from existing peace and security index the chapter explores how Africa can systematically confront its governance challenges in order to achieve sustainable peace and security in a globalized world.