Bøger af Emmanuel D Abalo

The "birth" of the West African state of Liberia as a sovereign nation in 1847 is intimately intertwined with the desire of freed black slaves to return to their "motherland" in Africa and establish a place of dignity and the lofty ideals of self-governance. and independence.This book attempts to weave the intricate details of the "umbilical connection" between the challenging effort of freed slaves returning to Africa with the help of philanthropic American organizations to build a free nation, the hostile reception and their dogged determination to thrive among the indigenes and the surprises that unprepared nationhood can exact. The exercise of independence and thriving as a free country was rooted in a "run-away" system which utilized the state militia-turned military to prop up the elite settler-led system of governance in Liberia until a violent coup d'état in April 1980 ended that hegemony. Later In post-coup Liberia, the world would subsequently witness, with horror, the consequences of the lack of solid democratic institutions and traditions and social cohesion. The military would degenerate into a tool of terror, rights abuses and impunity. National divisions would be exacerbated at the expense of the state and people. But with assistance from international partners, the restructured Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) is now intentional about rebuilding its scarred image, recruiting the best and remaining a "Force for Good".

African Conflicts and Small Arms ProliferationThe proliferation and use of small arms have had a devastating impact on Africa's security for decades, plunging nations into bloody conflicts that have claimed countless lives, destroyed communities, and sparked humanitarian crises. In this compelling book, the author provides a detailed account of how small arms have fueled African conflicts, examining their origins, spread, and proliferation, and their impact on peace and stability in the region.The book highlights how African nations have become the dumping ground for millions of cheap, readily available firearms from various sources, including rogue arms dealers, illicit arms trafficking networks, and even domestic manufacturers.Despite numerous global initiatives aimed at controlling the proliferation of small arms in conflict zones, the author emphasizes that the likelihood of succeeding in this fight is minimal unless there is a concerted effort to address the root causes of violence and disentangle the complex web of socio-economic, political, and cultural factors that create conditions of instability and violence. The book concludes by offering several recommendations for policymakers and stakeholders on ways to mitigate the impact of small arms and promote peace and security in Africa.Overall, Small Arms and African Conflicts is a carefully researched and thought-provoking book that offers a compelling account of a deadly phenomenon that has plagued the African continent for far too long. It is an essential read for scholars, researchers, policymakers, and anyone interested in understanding the complex dynamics of African conflicts and the role of small arms in fueling violence and undermining stability on the continent.