Conflict & Resilience Monitor – 24 April 2024

South Africa’s Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda finds expression in the country’s broader vision of “a better South Africa, a better Africa and a better World”. In fact, South Africa’s participation in all peace-making activities is underscored by the values enshrined in the country’s Constitution, foreign policy objectives of promoting the peaceful resolution of conflicts, the creation of an environment that is conducive for sustainable development and commitment to rules-based multilateralism in a world that is just and equitable.

The Southern African Development Community (SADC) Mission in Mozambique (SAMIM) will draw down and complete its withdrawal by June 2024. The first troops have already left Mozambique, and it is time to take stock of the impact of the mission.

In early May, Chadians will head to the poll to elect their President after three years of military rule. Chad is one of several military governments that have seized power in West and Central Africa since 2020 and it is the first of these to organise elections. Interim President Mahamat Idriss Déby and Prime Minister Succés Masra are among the 10 candidates. A stable and peaceful Chad is key not only for Chadians but also for the Sahel and the Central African Republic.

The militarisation of borders in conflict-ridden regions emerges as a response to heightened security concerns, aiming to safeguard national interests, uphold territorial integrity, and regulate the movement of people and goods across borders. Rooted in the legacy of colonial rule, militarisation has become entrenched in the politics of many African countries since independence. The post-colonial political trajectory of many African states reveals a complex web of civil-military relations, shaping their institutions, power structures, and societal dynamics. The relationship between civilian governments and the military has been pivotal in determining political stability, governance effectiveness, and the legitimacy of state authority, varying from cooperative partnership to outright military rule across different African countries.