The African Way of Going to War: The Regionalized Irregular Proxy Warfare

ABSTRACT

African wars have been widely described as an apolitical, domestic, and locally restricted phenomenon. However, such narratives do not hold up when facing more robust analyzes of empirical data, through the use of concepts capable of balancing a theoretical generality and the particularity of the cases. The analytical deficit on wars in Africa even makes it difficult to assess their causes, consequences and the impact of the responses generally adopted for their resolutions. This article argues, in opposition to current views, that the existing wars on the continent and their notorious complexities and irregularities constitute a security triad, synthesized in the concept of Regionalized Irregular Proxy Warfare. The systemic causes and effects of this African way of warfare are related, in addition to objective causes, to broader permissive causes, namely, the process of State-building on the continent, involving its interaction with regional dynamics and extra-regional penetration. More effective responses to the war in Africa should take into account these characteristics, the causes and consequences of conflicts, and consider the role of more sustainable actions, such as self-empowering reforms by states and the involvement of more vigorous regional initiatives.

war; Africa; irregular warfare; proxy warfare; regional security