Conflict and State Security in the Horn of Africa: Militarization of Civilian Groups

Abstract

The Horn of Africa experiences conflicts that set states against states a communities against communities resulting in political turbulence human tragedy. This situation is connected with the inability of states pursue rational policies that call for social cohesion. Governments and d sident political movements induce civilians to become accomplices of se less wars. Thus, conversion of civilian populations into military and par military groups is a common feature of this region. Some communities t advantage of the proliferation of modern weapons to arm themselves f cattle rustling, banditry and taking revenge. Civilians participate in di ent capacities in military-like activities in areas affected by armed viole Prospects for containing civilian militarization depend on concerted pr sure of civil societies and the international community on states and arm opposition movements to seek peaceful settlement of disputes. The pap argues that stakeholders in conflict situations should be persuaded to p mote dialogue leading to agreements, subsequent demobilisation of ex-c batants and disarmament of civilian groups. Therefore, prospects for s stability depend on how communities and states consider that their sec rity is guarante