The ties that bind: sub-state identity and African militaries

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Periodical article

Title:	The ties that bind: sub-state identity and African militaries
Author:	Russell, Shawn
Year:	2015
Periodical:	African Security Review (ISSN 2154-0128)
Volume:	24
Issue:	3
Pages:	324-331
Language:	English
Geographic terms:	Africa Libya South Sudan Mali
Subjects:	armed forces ethnic identity ethnicity
External link:	https://doi.org/10.1080/10246029.2015.1066261
Abstract:	Analysis of the failures of African security forces generally focuses on structural issues such as corruption of senior leadership, insufficient equipment and training, and coup d'état fears driving mistrust of armies that are too strong or effective. However, less examined is the role that sub-state identity plays; using Libya, South Sudan, and Mali as case studies, this paper examines how ethnicity inhibits the development of national armies, divides them, and exposes a critical flaw that adversaries are able to exploit. Given the increasingly ethnic nature of conflict throughout the world, and the rising threat that ethnic conflicts in Africa pose to regional and Western partners, it may be prudent for researchers, policymakers and other stakeholders to examine the critical role that sub-state identity plays in undermining African security forces. Notes, ref., sum. [Journal abstract]