African Perspectives on Global Pandemics and the Challenges of Peace and Security

by Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah (Foreword by), Shipena Dortea (Contribution by), Nguluwe Gabriella (Contribution by), Mbetu Gamuchirai (Contribution by), Fenni Taleiko Hamukwaya (Contribution by)

Overview

African Perspectives on Global Pandemics and the Challenges of Peace and Security by Masake Pilisano Harris and Richard Obinna Iroanya dissects the effects of pandemics in Africa and the possibilities for countering pandemic outbreaks in the future. The contributors of this volume bring new perspectives on the legal and security challenges of pandemics, covering political, socio-economic, health, security, and legal facets of pandemics nationally and regionally. This book discusses essential topics including: securitization, state behavior and actions during the COVID-19 pandemic, public health and political measures during pandemics, the amplification of the insecurities in African states, the increase of crime and criminality related to pandemic challenges, and the economic impacts that surround pandemic outbreaks. Harris and Iroanya bring these thematic areas to light not only to comprehensively analyze countermeasures towards pandemics in Africa, but also to encourage security policies that reflect the multidimensional nature of state authority and functions to tackle the next outbreak more affectively.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781666924800
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	10/15/2023
Series:	Africa: Past, Present & Prospects
Pages:	236
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.69(d)

About the Author

Masake Pilisano Harris is associate dean for the School of Human Sciences and Education at the Namibia University of Science and Technology.

Richard Obinna Iroanya is senior lecturer of the School of Military Science at the University of Namibia, Windhoek.

Table of Contents

Foreword by Hon. Dr. Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah

Introduction by Richard Obinna Iroanya & Masake Pilisano Harris

Chapter 1: Pandemics and State Survival: Restating the Relevance of Realism in the Fight Against Covid 19 by Richard Obinna Iroanya & Nawases Roseta

Chapter 2: The Impetus and Challenges in Securitizing Pandemics and Lessons for the Future by Masake Pilisano Harris & Mbetu Gamuchirai

Chapter 3: The Politicization of Covid-19: US-China Hostility and Global Peace and Security by Mude Torgue, Makaye Peter & Nguluwe Gabriella

Chapter 4: The Politics of Quarantine and Nigeria’s National Security: A Focus on Pandemics by Eke Udochu & Stanley Malamatja

Chapter 5: Implications of Covid-19 Pandemic for National Security: A Policy Consideration by Kennedy Kaumba Mabuku & Opeoluwa Oyedele

Chapter 6: Covid-19 Lockdown, Civil-Military Relations and Human Security: Perspectives from Namibian and Zimbabwean Experiences by Mude Torque, Shipena Dortea, & Nguluwe Gabriella

Chapter 7: Assessing the Challenges Experienced by the Namibian Security Sector in the Fight Against the Covid-19 Pandemic by Shipena Dortea, Fenni Taleiko Hamukwaya & Richard Obinna Iroanya

Chapter 8: Implications of Covid-19 (State of Emergency-lockdown) on the Commission of Crime and Criminality by Waneipo Ndilipunye Michael & Dzimiri Patrick

Chapter 9: Impact of Covid-19 on the Workforce and the Question of Job Security: The Plight of Workers from the Namibian by Libebe Lizazi, Masake Pilisano Harris & Mbukusa Nchindo

Chapter 10: Managing Conflicts: The Impact of Covid-19 on Conflicts and Conflict Resolution in Africa by Kennedy Kaumba Mabuku & Vuma Phillip

Epilogue: Africa and the World Beyond Covid-19 by Richard Obinna Iroanya & Masake Pilisano Harris

About the Editors

About the Contributors

Editorial Reviews

I highly recommend this book as it provides a novel exploration of how the COVID-19 pandemic could be understood in terms of the theories and concepts relating to our evolving understanding of threats to international relations, national security, human security and civil-military relations through an African perspective. The value of the book is in the contextualization of international relations theory, the human security paradigm, and securitization within African case studies. It also includes useful analyses of how threats to peace and security could be expanded to include epidemics and pandemics.

This book provides readers with original insights into the developments in the current debates relating to African security and will be of particularly great use to students of political science, security studies, military history, civil-military relations, and military sociology.

Laetitia Olivier

This timely collection coincides with both a period of reflection on the implications of the recent global COVID pandemic and the important resurgence of African perspectives on global issues. The editors draw from a diverse range of academics and policy makers to focus on how pandemics in general and COVID in particular affected how various state actors responded to and took advantage of the challenges that public health crises posed. Contributors cover specific case studies across the continent, from Nigeria to Namibia and Zimbabwe, as well as the wider dimensions of American and Chinese responses to the pandemic as they affected the African continent. Each chapter is grounded in political theories related to security studies and treats the centrality of public health crises to state security and people’s well-being. Given the diversity of approaches, readers may find it hard to compare the case studies. The collection is, nevertheless, useful for gaining a better understanding of African views on the pandemic and includes important voices that hitherto have not always been valued. Recommended. Advanced undergraduates through faculty.

Choice Reviews