How many warlords are in africa

Misinformed reporting disguises the truth of the attacks on all civilians: Muslims, Christians and animists alike. By misreading and therefore misunderstanding the conflict in the CAR, there is a failure to recognise a pattern of temporary coalitions that emerge and disappear between various armed groups, under different leaders seeking access to political authority, visibility and wealth.

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Share on facebook. Share on twitter. Share on linkedin. Share on whatsapp. Share on email. An assessment of the roles of armed non-state actors within the normative political landscapes of African countries.

Militias are often comprised of young men who come from rural, impoverished areas. The Pathology of Warlords and Militias in the Central African Republic The CAR experienced violent conflict as a result of armed competitors attempting to usurp or maintain political leadership and power on the cusp of its independence in Miners ply the Ndassima gold mine in the Central African Republic. Quick to Form, Quick to Exit Although not always, militias are composed of a dominant ethnic or religious group through convenience more than deliberate recruitment.

Conclusion The conflicts in the CAR demonstrate the motivations of militias and the ambitions of warlords. International Affairs, 88 4 , pp. Sullivan, John P. Small Wars and Insurgencies, 13 2 , pp. Davis, Diane E. Contemporary Security Policy, 30 2 , pp. Journal of Asian and African Studies, 12 1—4 , pp.

New York: Cambridge University Press. Berkeley, California: Human Rights Centre. Rubin, Barnett R. Journal of Human Development, 7, pp. Reno, William Warlord Politics. Boulder, Colorado: Lynne Rienner. De Zeeuw, Jeroen ed. Boulder, Colorado: Lynne Rienner Publishers. Reno, William , op. It works to support peace consolidation, assist in protecting civilians, create suitable conditions for the delivery of humanitarian assistance, among other tasks.

CAR has suffered more than six years of conflict. Security conditions deteriorated further in December when clashes erupted between various armed groups. This fighting persists and has been further complicated by the fragmentation and reforming of alliances. It was mandated to protect civilians, facilitate the delivery of humanitarian assistance, and support national efforts to disarm, demobilise and reintegrate former combatants and armed elements. In February , the Government and 14 armed groups signed a peace agreement which has led to fewer direct clashes.

The UN, the African Union and others are cooperating in support of the agreement to end violence against civilians, strengthen the extension of state authority and bring social and economic development to the country. With approximately 14, peacekeepers, MINUSCA continues to support the implementation of the peace deal and its other mandated tasks.

However, insecurity and attacks against civilians, humanitarians, and UN peacekeeping forces continue. More than , people are internally displaced, and thousands have been killed. In April , Khalifa Haftar, the head of the self-styled Libyan National Army, which controls much of the countryside, launched an attack on Tripoli.

About 1, people were reported to have been killed in that attack and more than , displaced since the latest round of the conflict began in April. A UN arms embargo continues to be breached with both sides drawing on international support for weapons. This includes support to implementation of the LPA and future phases of the transition process.

The Boko Harem insurgency in Nigeria that began in has extended to neighbouring countries, including Cameroon, Chad and Niger. About two million people have fled their homes and another 22, are missing, believed to have been conscripted. In April , the group abducted girls from a school in Chibok, a village in Borno State, northeast Nigeria.

A few managed to escape or be rescued. More than girls remain missing. A multinational joint task force of about 10, troops from Benin, Cameroon, Chad, Niger and Nigeria is currently battling the insurgency.

Since then several other armed groups emerged or splintered off from existing ones with different interests related to self-determination and political and socio-economic grievances.

The Malian government and two coalitions of these armed groups — the Plateforme and Coordination — signed the Agreement on Peace and Reconciliation in Mali in May Characteristics of warlords include: war aims revolving around economic issues, construction of alternative governance structures, use of violence and patrimony and the existence of a shared identity.

Warlords represent the real power in many areas, with control of economic resources, arms and manpower. Current analysis of such groups neglects to analyse the internal dynamics, such as social issues and class relationships. Warlords offer security, rewards and stability at a local level, but do not offer long term stability.

They offer a way out for many people living in areas with no alternatives. Change is possible through a long term commitment to state making, prevention of violence and most importantly, building legitimacy.

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