The governance dimensions of environmental security in 21st-century Eastern Africa: A review

Abstract

This chapter examines the place of governance in the human/environmental security debate with specific reference to East Africa. Two decades into the 21st century, the world continues to grapple with complex human security puzzles and stark realities. In resultant debates, the environment has increasingly stood out as a major cross-cutting issue. Concerns around environmental security have continued to feature strongly in the wider human security agenda in the contemporary world. Africa is neither a stranger nor an exception to these debates and concomitant emergent issues and/or concerns thereof. A survey of the extant literature on this subject area reveals a growing interest in both academic and policy circles in examining issues around environmental security from the standpoint of governance. Against this background, the chapter explores governance in relation to environmental security in East Africa. The chapter takes on a critical analytical approach and grapples with pertinent questions including the theoretical and analytical relationship between governance and environmental security within the broader context of human security in East Africa over time and space. The chapter sheds light on governance structures, actors, policy actions, and emergent issues. The chapter concludes with suggestions for possible future research and/or policy direction.