Description: Africa has suffered at the mercy of natural catastrophes, bloody wars, political instability and communal violence amongst others. David Francis focuses on the debate on uniting the continent in terms of co-operative peace, security and development, examining whether a series of emerging regional peace and security systems could feasibly be institutionalized and extended.
Review Quotes: 'Uniting Africa presents a comprehensive, continental overview of comparative regional conflicts and responses by one of Africa's leading analysts and advocates; it constitutes a timely antidote or addendum to both NEPAD and the 2005 Commission for Africa report on "Our Common Interest" regrettably, regional security remains elusive throughout the continent despite many good intentions/declarations.' Timothy M. Shaw, University of London, UK '...Francis knows his subject well. This volume illustrates the complexity of Africa's conflicts and holds out hope for significant regional steps toward resolution... The book usefully brings together a wide range of evidence... Recommended.' Choice '...David Francis contributes an incisive study of how the sub-regional organizations have assumed security responsibilities since the 1990s.' African Affairs '...nuanced and pragmatic...Francis has written an important and provocative book.' Political Science Quarterly 'Regional integration is a consistent theme throughout Francis' work. The book is therefore intended for academics with an interest in the emergence of collective systems of security on a regional basis. Yet Uniting Africa is just as accessible to students as to their tutors since it also discusses and illuminates the security dynamic in contemporary Africa. Francis' book also offers a clear explanation of the historical evolution of institutional security systems in Africa.' Etudes internationales