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Full-Text Articles in Peace and Conflict Studies
Drug Trafficking And Threats To National And Regional Security In West Africa, Emmanuel Kwesi Aning, John Pokoo
Drug Trafficking And Threats To National And Regional Security In West Africa, Emmanuel Kwesi Aning, John Pokoo
Emmanuel Kwesi Aning
In less than one and a half decades West Africa has become a major transit and repackaging hub for cocaine and heroin flowing from the Latin American and Asian producing areas to European markets. Drug trafficking is not new to the region; the phenomenon rapidly expanded in the mid-2000s as a result of a strategic shift of Latin American drug syndicates towards the rapidly growing European market, leading UNODC to state in 2008 that "…the crisis of drug trafficking … is gaining attention. Alarm bells are ringing …West Africa has become a hub for cocaine trafficking. This is more than …
The Economic Community Of West African States And The Responsibility To Protect, Emmanuel Aning, Samuel Atuobi
The Economic Community Of West African States And The Responsibility To Protect, Emmanuel Aning, Samuel Atuobi
Emmanuel Kwesi Aning
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) was created in 1975 with the primary objective of member states jointly to ‘promote cooperation and integration, leading to the establishment of an economic union in West Africa in order to raise the living standards of its peoples, and to maintain and enhance economic stability’. However, since its creation, the organization has largely pursued security and political agendas due to the prevalence of political instability and security challenges in the West African sub-region. Since the 1960s, when most of its member states gained independence, West Africa has experienced several coups d’état and …
Addressing Emerging Security Threats In Post-Gaddafi Sahel And Ecowas Response To The Malian Crises, Emmanuel Aning, Frank Okyere, Mustapha Abdallah
Addressing Emerging Security Threats In Post-Gaddafi Sahel And Ecowas Response To The Malian Crises, Emmanuel Aning, Frank Okyere, Mustapha Abdallah
Emmanuel Kwesi Aning
This policy paper examines the broader impact of post-Gaddafi security challenges on West African states, with particular emphasis on the Sahelian regions. This will be juxtaposed against the old insecurities serving as long time precursors. As the first major unintended consequence of the Libyan crisis, we discuss the events leading to the Malian coup d’état and its implications on the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). Finally, the paper analyzes the options for international engagement, focusing on the UN, EU, AU and ECOWAS.
Identifying And Responding To Africa's Security Challenges, Emmanuel Aning
Identifying And Responding To Africa's Security Challenges, Emmanuel Aning
Emmanuel Kwesi Aning
This chapter discusses a broad range of new and emerging security challenges that affect and impact the survival of Africa's constituent states. It seeks to (a) understand the dynamics and mechanics of the narcotics trade and the manner in which it impacts the content, particularly West Africa, which is now known as the "coke coast"; (2) identify and analyze the threat of cyber crime; and (3) examine the strategies for coping and responding to these challenges within the broader framework of initiatives undertaken by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the African Union.
Demography, Environment And Conflict In West Africa, Emmanuel Aning, Andrews Atta-Asamoah
Demography, Environment And Conflict In West Africa, Emmanuel Aning, Andrews Atta-Asamoah
Emmanuel Kwesi Aning
In this paper, we argue that West Africa’s conflict experiences since 1990 have never been devoid of the concurrent influence of the youth bulge problematic and the effects of the economic downturns of countries in the sub-region. These factors can therefore not be relegated to the background in present and future attempts to achieve peace. We also argue that the outbreak of conflicts has had grave ramifications on the region’s environmental security. This paper starts with a section that analyses the nexus between demography and conflict from which evidence is deduced to explain the youth bulge phenomenon and supporting destabilising …
Ecowas And Conflict Prevention In West Africa: Confronting The Triple Threats, Emmanuel Kwesi Aning, A. Sarjoh Bah
Ecowas And Conflict Prevention In West Africa: Confronting The Triple Threats, Emmanuel Kwesi Aning, A. Sarjoh Bah
Emmanuel Kwesi Aning
In this paper, Dr. A. Sarjoh Bah and Dr. Kwesi Aning, addresses three critical transnational challenges, referred to as the “triple threats” confronting West Africa, namely: governance, drug trafficking and small arms and light weapons. They contend that the combined effects of these threats could undermine the security and stability of the entire sub-region. Consequently the analysis focuses on policy responses by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in confronting the triple threats and offers specific recommendations on how these responses can be enhanced. Among other things, the authors call on ECOWAS to articulate its concerns relating to …
The Anatomy Of Ghana's Secret Arms Industry, Emmanuel Kwesi Aning
The Anatomy Of Ghana's Secret Arms Industry, Emmanuel Kwesi Aning
Emmanuel Kwesi Aning
Although craft small arms production is present throughout West Africa, Ghana’s long-standing and socially embedded gun-making tradition make it a country of particular concern. Guns ‘made in Ghana’ are now known regionally for their competitive prices, their effectiveness, and their accessibility—thus raising concerns that they might one day represent a significant source of weaponry for armed groups. Indeed, some local blacksmiths now possess the requisite know-how to copy imported AK-47 assault rifles This chapter documents the extent, nature, and effects of Ghanaian craft small arms production, and discusses existing and potential responses. It is divided into three main sections. The …
From Youth Rebellion To Child Abduction: The Anatomy Of Recruitment In Sierra Leone, Emmanuel Aning, Angela Mcintyre
From Youth Rebellion To Child Abduction: The Anatomy Of Recruitment In Sierra Leone, Emmanuel Aning, Angela Mcintyre
Emmanuel Kwesi Aning
Using a case study of Sierra Leone, this chapter aims to bring attention to the importance of youth as a constituency with a substantial stake in national and regional stability in Africa. We have attempted this by first giving a background to the conflict, followed by a discussion of the nature of youth recruitment and participation in the conflict, followed by a look at some influential perspectives on the issue of child and youth participation in violence, and the influences they have had on policy making. We conclude with the idea that youth are of central concern to both national …