India needs to Strengthen Engagement with Africa on Peace and Security Issues

June 12, 2014

New Delhi: Africa recognizes that peace and security problems in the continent are triggered by both internal as well as external factors, deliberated experts from African countries and India during a round table discussion on Peace and Security in Africa organised by the Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (IDSA) on June 12, 2014.

Africa’s natural instinct is of peace and its institutional makeup is attuned to consensual rather than adverse politics, which has been upset by external forces, stated the experts. The African countries have therefore come up with Pan-African institutions and structures such as the African Peace and Security Architecture to deal with the multitude problems in the continent, unlike Asia where they have dealt with these issues bilaterally.

Describing India as benign partner, the experts from Africa called for assistance in strengthening cooperation between the law enforcement agencies of both India and Africa in solving the peace and Security issues of the continent. They also suggested for exchange of information in real time and capacity building of defence institutions in Africa.

The experts suggested that the African countries should focus on strengthening the preventive mechanism or the early warning mechanisms. Non traditional security threats such climate change, women empowerment, water security may be addressed in a multi lateral framework, it was suggested.Both India and Africa should have more dialogue on these crucial issues at both state and track II level, among think tanks.

Speaking about India’s role in assisting the African peace and Security measures, the experts suggested that India could extend its support towards the African Peace fund.

The discussions were held in the backdrop of the 51st anniversary of the Organization for African Unity (OAU) on May 25, 2014 and the up coming African Union’s (AU) 11th anniversary. Africa has made great progress in establishing the institutional architecture for promoting peace and security on the continent through the setting up of African Peace and Security Architecture (APSA).

The new security environment in Africa has seen many challenging developments. Mali, South Sudan and Central African Republic have emerged as new conflict hot spots in Africa. India and Africa share deep partnership of co-operation with each other. The relationship in the past hinged on the common struggle against colonialism, apartheid, poverty, disease, illiteracy and hunger. This relationship has gained momentum in recent years due to greater economic engagement between India and Africa. India has also contributed to security in Africa by its substantial participation under various UN peace keeping missions on the continent. India has also engaged in training and capacity-building among African military personnel. Africa and India face many common security threats. Among the most significant challenges that India and Africa will face in particular, are reforms in global governance institutions, maritime security threats in the Indian Ocean, climate change and the rise of extremism and terrorism.