Africa’s security structure has been a concern for decades, with the continent facing escalating threats that transcend national borders and evolve into regional challenges. These cross-border issues, ranging from terrorism and cyberattacks to organised crime, have led to the emergence of regional security organisations as key players in maintaining peace and stability.
Africa’s insecurity has been marked by a rise in traditional state-centric conflicts, increasing terrorist activity, cybercrime, and transnational health crises. These have resulted in widespread displacement, significant economic losses, and severe health crises, pushing the continent into deeper instability.
According to the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR), over 44 million people were displaced from their homes in sub-Saharan Africa by 2023, up from 38.3 million at the end of 2021. The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) had the highest number of internally displaced persons (IDPs), with over six million in 2023. Somalia followed with approximately 3.9 million displaced people, while Nigeria had around 3.4 million.
Conflicts, terrorism, and maritime piracy have severely undermined Africa’s financial and economic stability. The African Development Bank estimates that insecurity and conflict-related issues cost the continent up to $18 billion annually. Additionally, these factors have exacerbated food insecurity, as seen in countries like Sudan and Nigeria.
In response, regional efforts have been made to counter terrorism and address broader security issues. Regional security organisations have been formed to manage conflict resolution, crisis response, and cooperative security strategies that address cross-border threats through joint action and shared resources.
African Union Initiatives
The African Union (AU) has made significant progress in tackling cross-border security threats. The AU’s Peace and Security Council (PSC) adopts a multifaceted approach, including the African Standby Force (ASF) for conflict prevention, management, and resolution. The AU has previously deployed peacekeeping troops to stabilise regions amid severe conflict.
A notable example of successful regional cooperation was the AU-led Regional Cooperation Initiative for the Elimination of the Lord’s Resistance Army (RCI-LRA). This initiative effectively addressed the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA), a terrorist group that terrorised communities in Northern Uganda, South Sudan, the Central African Republic (CAR), and the DRC. By uniting the directly affected states, the task force demonstrated the power of regional security cooperation.
Collaborative Security Efforts
In another effort, INTERPOL collaborated with Zambia and Zimbabwe to launch the Smuggling, Training, and Operations Programme (STOP). This initiative brought together local law enforcement and INTERPOL to combat transnational organised crimes, such as human trafficking, people smuggling, and terrorism. The programme led to the screening of over 100,000 individuals at airports using INTERPOL’s database, resulting in the arrest of six people linked to cybercrime, money laundering, terrorism, and arms dealing.
Similarly, the Integrated Border Stability Mechanism (IBSM), launched by the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the United Nations Office of Counterterrorism (UNOCT), and INTERPOL, aims to enhance border governance and security in West Africa. This initiative supports the development and implementation of regional and national strategies to improve governance and integrated border management, crucial for regional stability.
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Challenges Faced by Regional Security Organisations
Despite these efforts, regional security organisations in Africa face several challenges, including varying levels of commitment from member states, differing national interests, and limited resources. The rise of artificial intelligence in warfare and the growing impact of climate change have further complicated security operations.
To overcome these challenges, regional security organisations must enhance operational efficiency and foster greater integration among member states. Investment in technology, improved intelligence-sharing mechanisms, and stronger partnerships with global institutions are crucial to bolstering the effectiveness of these organisations.
