TITLE:
Challenges to the Undertaking and Growth of Security and Strategic Studies in Africa
AUTHORS:
Katongole Badhul, Solomom Muchwa Asiimwe, John Paul Kasujja
KEYWORDS:
Challenges, Security Studies, Strategic Studies, Growth of Security and Strategic Studies
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Social Sciences,
Vol.13 No.7,
July
11,
2025
ABSTRACT: The study explored the challenges to the undertaking and growth of security and strategic studies (SSS) in Africa. This was against the observed increased establishment of SSS courses in both African military and civilian institutions of higher learning. The objective of the study was to understand the challenges to the undertaking and growth of SSS and it involved examining the barriers to the adoption of SSS in African security frameworks and the consequent failure to contribute to informed policy choices and development paths. Using a qualitative research approach, 15 respondents from universities, governmental, inter-governmental and non-governmental organizations in Uganda, but from diverse African countries, were interviewed and their information was corroborated through document analysis. The sample was arrived at using non-probability sampling, particularly, purposive, convenience and snowballing sampling techniques and document analysis was guided by a well thought out document review checklist. The study found that the undertaking of SSS in Africa begun in military academies then later went to civilian universities and mainly gained speed in the 2000’s. While demand for SSS products is on the increase, SSS growth is challenged by prevalent state-centric biases, underdeveloped research and retarded development of SSS. This has resulted in African states interacting with competitors in the international system both state and non-state from a position of disadvantage, limited success in security sector reform, dis-alignment of resources and so on. The study recommended that to aid the growth of SSS there must be departure from the state-centric approach to security, a clear institutional framework for research and development in SSS involving African geniuses from various study fields and establishment of resourceful SSS think-tanks and physical or legal entities responsible for development and application of information from SSS, following certain policy.