Violent Non-State Actors in Africa

"This book provides a comparative analysis of violent non-state actors together with the challenges they pose for African states, whose fragility often allows warlords, rebels and terrorists to find space for pursuing their objectives. An excellent contribution to African security studies, it ought to be particularly useful for undergraduate courses looking at armed conflicts in Africa." (Georges Nzongola-Ntalaja, Professor of African and Global Studies, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, USA) "This book is an important contribution to our understanding of how non-state actors are changing the landscape of violence in parts of Africa." (Chris Alden, Professor in International Relations and Co-Head of the Africa International Affairs Programme, London School of Economics and Political Science, UK)

This book explores the rise and impact of violent non-state actors in contemporary Africa and the implications for the sovereignty and security of African states. Each chapter tackles a unique angle on violent organizations on the continent with the view of highlighting the conditions that lead to the rise and radicalization of these groups.This book explores the rise and impact of violent non-state actors in contemporary Africa and the implications for the sovereignty and security of African states. Each chapter tackles a unique angle on violent organizations on the continent with the view of highlighting the conditions that lead to the rise and radicalization of these groups. The chapters further examine the ways in which governments have responded to the challenge and the national, regional and international strategies that they have adopted as a result. Chapter contributors to this volume examine the emergence of Islamist terrorists in Nigeria, Mali and Libya; rebels in DR Congo, Central African Republic, Ethiopia and Rwanda; and warlords and pirates in Somalia, Uganda and Sierra Leone.