What is it about?
This article argues that Africa's security challenges can no longer be understood only through war, terrorism, or political instability. Climate change, environmental degradation, water scarcity, and resource competition are increasingly shaping conflict, displacement, and social tensions across the continent. These problems are deeply interconnected and cannot be addressed in isolation. Drawing on interviews conducted in Mali, Nigeria, and Egypt, as well as an analysis of the African Union's peace and security system, the study shows that environmental pressures act as "threat multipliers." They worsen existing problems such as poor governance, poverty, inequality, and weak state institutions. The research also finds that African security policies remain heavily influenced by external donors and military-centered approaches, limiting locally driven and preventive solutions. The article proposes a new framework for understanding African security in the Anthropocene—an era in which human activities are transforming the planet. It calls for security policies that place people, ecosystems, and local knowledge at the center while strengthening regional cooperation and African-led solutions.
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Why is it important?
Africa is among the regions most affected by climate change, yet security debates often overlook the links between environmental change and conflict. This article provides a new way of thinking about security by showing that sustainable peace depends not only on military capacity but also on environmental resilience, inclusive governance, and social justice. The framework offers useful insights for scholars, policymakers, and regional organizations seeking more effective and locally grounded responses to today's complex security challenges.
Perspectives
This article reflects my long-standing interest in African security and the need to rethink conventional theories in light of today's global environmental transformations. Rather than treating climate change as a secondary issue, I argue that it has become a central force shaping Africa's security landscape. My aim is to encourage a shift from externally driven, militarized approaches toward African-led, people-centered, and ecologically informed security frameworks that better reflect the realities of the Anthropocene. I hope this work contributes to a broader conversation about building resilient, inclusive, and sustainable peace across Africa.
Professor Hamdy A. Hassan
Zayed University
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Rethinking African security in the anthropocene: an alternative framework, Frontiers in Political Science, June 2026, Frontiers,
DOI: 10.3389/fpos.2026.1841303.
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