Warlords in Africa : a comparative study of Jonas Savimbi and Farah Aideed
Date
2008-12
Authors
Lawack, Marvin Sylvester
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
Abstract
Abstract:
The African continent has been riddled with conflict for many years. Angola and
Somalia are prime examples of countries having experienced protracted wars. During
those wars, warlords have played a definite role in perpetuating the fighting. The
thesis investigates warlordism in Africa. Specifically, it is a comparative analysis of
Jonas Savimbi of Angola and Farah Aideed of Somalia.
The thesis investigates the concept of warlords and uses the examples of Aideed and
Savimbi to illustrate the impact of warlords on the respective countries. The examples
of Aideed and Savimbi are further used to show that there are different ways to
becoming ultimately labelled as a warlord. The role of state weakness and ethnicity
will be investigated in the two cases. The discussion will highlight the points that state
weakness (i.e. lack of governmental functionality) and the use of ethnicity play a
profound role in the rise and survival of warlords. The case studies of Aideed and
Savimbi will emphasise the influence of state weakness and ethnicity in their
formation as warlords.
The concept of state weakness is defined and the thesis illustrates that there are
different levels of state weakness. The thesis compares Angola and Somalia, and
shows that Savimbi and Aideed acted under vastly different conditions as warlords.
Ethnicity is defined and linked to the idea that the effects of colonialism played a
profound role in creating ethnic divisions, enabling warlords such as Aideed and
Savimbi to use their ethnic backgrounds to mobilise followers to wage war. The thesis
investigates how Aideed and Savimbi maintained their military organisations. Their
ability to do so is related to both state weakness and ethnicity. State weakness and
ethnicity create conditions which are conducive to the emergence of warlords.
Description
Thesis (MA (Political Science. International Studies))--Stellenbosch University, 2008.
Keywords
Warlords, Africa, Savimbi, Aideed, Theses -- Political science, Dissertations -- Political science