1st Edition

Handbook of Africa's International Relations

Edited By Tim Murithi Copyright 2014
    472 Pages
    by Routledge

    472 Pages
    by Routledge

    Africa’s international relations have often been defined and oriented by the dominant international and geopolitical agendas of the day. In the aftermath of colonialism the Cold War became a dominant paradigm that defined the nature of the continent’s relationship with the rest of the world. The contemporary forces of globalization are now exerting an undue influence and impact upon Africa’s international relations. Increasingly, the African continent is emerging as a vocal, and in some respects an influential, actor in international relations. There is a lack of analysis and research on this emerging trend. This timely book fills this analytical gap by engaging with a wide range of issues, with chapters written by experts on a variety of themes.

    The emerging political prominence of the African continent on the world stage is predicated on an evolving internal process of continental integration. In particular, there are normative and policy efforts to revive the spirit of Pan-Africanism: the 21st century is witnessing the evolution of Pan-Africanism, notably through the constitution and establishment of the African Union (AU). Given the dearth of analysis on this phenomemon, this volume also examines the notion of Pan-Africanism through various lenses – notably peace and security, development, the environment and trade.

    The volume will also engage with the emerging role of the AU as an international actor, e.g. with regard to its role in the reform of the United Nations Security Council, climate change, the International Criminal Court (ICC), the treaty establishing Africa as a nuclear-free zone, Internally Displaced Persons, the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), international trade, the environment, public health issues, security, and development issues. This book will assess how the AU’s role as an international actor is complicated by the difficulty of promoting consensus among African states and then maintaining that consensus in the face of often divergent national interests. This book will in part assess the role of the AU in articulating collective and joint policies and in making interventions in international decision and policy-making circles.

    The Handbook will also assess the role of African social movements and their relationship with global actors. The role of African citizens in improving their own conditions is often underplayed in the international relations discourse, and this volume will seek to redress this oversight. Throughout the book the various chapters will also assess the role that these citizen linkages have contributed towards continental integration and in confronting the challenges of globalization.

    1. Introduction: The Evolution of Africa’s International Relations Dr. Tim Murithi  Part 1: Theories and Historical Evolution  2. Theoretical Approaches to Africa's International Relations  Dr. Thomas Tieku  3. Pan-Africanism and the International System Dr. Sabelo J. Ndlovu-Gatsheni  4. The Impact of Globalisation on Africa Berouk Mesfin  5. Africa's International Relations Beyond the State: Insights from Nigeria's Niger Delta Dr. Cyril Obi  Part 2: Institutional Developments  6. The African Peace and Security Architecture Dr. Solomon Dersso  7. The AU New Partnership for Africa's Development Dr. Tony Karbo  8. The African Union and Regional Economic Communities: A Partnership for Peace and Security? Dr. John Akokpari and Sarah Ancas  9. The AU Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance Dr. Mireille Affaa  10. The AU Post-Conflict Reconstruction and Development Policy Framework Dr. Elias Omondi  11. The AU Solemn Declaration on Gender Equality Dr. Toni Haastrup  Part 3: Africa's International Relations: Issues and Policy Areas  12. Security Cooperation in Africa: Do African Actors Offer an Alternate Conception of Security? Romain Esmenjaud  13. Africa and International Trade Policy: Contesting the World Trade Organisation and Economic Partnership Agreements Dr. Emezat Mengesha 14. Africa and International Migration Dr. Bina Fernandez  15. Power-sharing in Conflict Resolution Efforts in Africa Dr. Katia Papagianni  Part 4: Global Governance and Africa  16. Africa's Contribution to International Peace Operations Cedric de Coning  17. Africa and the International Criminal Court Dr. Thomas Obel Hansen  18. Africa, Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons Dr. Kwesi Sansculotte-Greenidge  19. The Responsibility to Protect and Africa's International Relations Dr. Adam Branch  20. The African Union and the Protection of Civilians Walter Lotze  21. Africa and International Human Rights: Assessing National Institutions Lisa Sekaggya  22. Africa and Global Climate Change: Impacts, Vulnerability and Climate Policies Dr. Elena Lioubimtseva  23. Africa and the Global Trade in Illicit Small Arms and Light Weapons Dorcas Ettang  24. Africa and the UN Peacebuilding Commission Dr. Grace Maina  25. Africa and the Bretton Woods Institutions: The World Bank and the International Monetary Fund Professor Paul Clements  26. Africa and Official Development Assistance Professor George Klay Kieh, Jr.  27. The AU and Terrorism Dr. Kwesi Aning  28. The Challenge of Terrorism and the Islamist Unknown in North Africa Valentina Bartolucci  29. Africa and Private Military Companies Yvette Selim  Part 5: Africa and International Partnerships  30. Africa and the European Union: An Assessment of the EU-Africa Joint Strategy Andrew Sherriff and John Kotsopoulos  31. The European Union and the East African Community Trade Agreements Professor Kenneth Omeje and Doreen Alusa  32. The EU and Development in Africa: From ACP to EPA Dr. Lorenzo Fioramonti  33. Africa and China Dr. Henning Melber  34. Africa and the US AFRICOM Dr. Jack Mangala  35. Africa and India Dr. Zachariah Mampilly  36. Africa and Japan: TICAD and Beyond Dr. Seifudein Adem  37. Africa and Latin America Gustavo Barros de Carvalho  38. IBSA - BRISCA and its Impact on Africa Professor Gladys Lechini  39. Iran-Africa Relations: The Trouble Bridged of South/South Dialogue Jason Warner and Carol Jean Gallo  40. Conclusion: The Prospects for Africa's International Relations Dr. Tim Murithi  Select Bibliography  Index 

     

     

     

    Biography

    Tim Murithi is a Research Fellow with the African Gender Institute at the University of Cape Town and the Head of the Justice and Reconciliation in Africa Programme at the Institute for Justice and Reconciliation in Cape Town, South Africa. He is author of The African Union: Pan-Africanism, Peacebuilding and Development published by Ashgate, and The Ethics of Peacebuilding published by Edinburgh University Press.

    `Dr Tim Murithi’s seminal Handbook of Africa’s International Relations brings together an impressive collection of leading Africanists to critically engage with the changing nature, dynamics and complexity of Africa’s International Relations at the dawn of the 21st Century. Definitely, the most authoritative and wide ranging overview of interpretations of Africa’s International Relations by indigenous Africans and Africanists. This is an impressive and informative critical outline of conceptual, thematic issues and relevant case studies pertinent to the understanding of contemporary Africa. A highly recommended book and a must read by all students and practitioners of Africa’s International Relations. '

    Professor David J. Francis. Research Chair of African Peace & Conflict Studies, University of Bradford.

     

    `This is a brilliant collection on a truly complex subject. Indeed, a concise voice on African International Relations is long overdue. This new book sets the pace and will shape the nature of discourse on African International Relations.'

    Dr 'Funmi Olonisakin, Director, African Leadership Centre, and Associate Professor at the King's College, University of London.

     

    `The Handbook on African International Relations is a rare collection of essays devoted to a subject that has yet to receive such comprehensive scholarly treatment. Tim Murithi has assembled a multidisciplinary group of young scholars from all over the world to lend fresh perspectives on African international relations. The chapters are rich, diverse, and comprehensive. The book should contribute toward returning Africa to mainstream international relations.’

    Professor Gilbert Khadiagala, Jan Smuts Professor of International Relations, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.

    'In conclusion, this is a strong and up-to-date book on Africa’s international politics. Students and scholars will find it an accessible reference. Murithi should be commended for his inclusion of authors from inside and outside Africa.'

    Grant Dawson, University of Nottingham, Ningbo, China