The Question of State and Nation Building in Africa

By Deng Arok Thon, Nairobi

The distinction between a fragile and a failed state is often blurred-depending on what definition is being used to describe the state-and who uses it and for what purpose.

It is generally perceived that a fragile state is a state that lacks the ability and/or the capacity to secure its pillars, govern its environs and as a result, risks dissolution or rampant lawlessness along with extreme poverty, hunger and starvation along with a very high rate of unemployment and a negative economic growth curve.

A fragile state is not necessarily on its way to becoming a failed state as a fragile state can evolve into a more stable and secure state. But yes, it is often a precursor to a failed state and is indeed often a state that has reached that tipping point.

Africa has numerous examples of states (mine definitely included!) that are regarded as either fragile or failed. This classification depends on who stands to gain what from their fragility or failure.

It is accepted that fragile or failed states occur when governance fails, law and order ceases to function effectively and the armed forces are unable to fulfil their mandates. There are both internal and external threat drivers that can result in the fragility or failure of a state.

Characteristics common in most failed or fragile states:-

1.)Lack of Grand Strategy

2.)Lack of National Security Strategy

3.)Fragmented,antagonistic power bases

4.)Weak central Government

5.)Inability to implement policy, domestic or foreign

6.)Rampant corruption and nepotism

7.) Poor to non-existent service delivery

8.) Weak economic strategy leading to crippling poverty

9.)Questionable loyalty of Forces

10) Breakdown of Law & Order

11) Rampant transnational crime

12)Regional and International isolation

13) Increase in uncontrolled,heavily armed and opposing militia groups

14) Local, regional and International media pressure (mainstream and social)
15) Weak intel structures

16) No professional Civil Service.

But from a Military point of view, the following usually happens:-

1)Lack of military strategy

2)Mismatch between Military Strategy and National Strategy

3)Lack of Military Leadership and C3I

4)Poor discipline

5)Poor training

6) Lack or delay of salaries hence involvement in crime

7) Poorly maintained,unserviceable, inadequate and often obsolete equipment

8) Inability to develop realistic, feasible and executable Op plans

9) Lack of trust or even fear from the civil populace

10) Lack of a coherent, workable doctrine

11)Unrealistic expectations of abilities

12)Misunderstanding of threats

13)Not politically neutral and/or partisan.

14) Largest ethnic group often dominates Officer Corps in the armed forces, police, security agencies etc.

15) Disunity between Forces/units and other security elements etc.

There can be no universal template to bring about positive change or reversal from the brink of collapse to a stable, secure and prosperous state. Rather,it requires a series of coordinated actions and activities to bring about this change.

When you look at the concept of “state” in Africa, it is a group of people (usually an ethnic,cultural or religious majority) position to rule as a government within a defined territory and implementing a defined constitution. Whether or not we view that constitution as “good” or “bad” does not detract from the fact that that grouping of people exercise influence over those who reside in that territory.

In turn, this influence-whether positive or negative-can spill across national borders and impact on the region.

We should not sugar-coat problems simply to be politically correct. Nor,I believe, should we try to be politically correct when large tracts of Africa are in crisis as we only deceive ourselves and do a disservice to Africa.

It does, however, depend on who is defining the state as either fragile or failed and who stands to gain what from the state in questions collapse. Some fragile or failed states have the resources to turn the tide but are hampered from doing so by corruption, tenderpreneurship and local,regional and international influences and pressures, some overt and some not so overt.

At independence, many governments found themselves unable to cope with the lack of service-savvy administrators. This void was rapidly filled by family and friends of the ruling party who had no training in what to do and/or how to do it.

This resulted in a decrease/collapse of essential services, including education. As governments changed, so too did the personnel in these institutions.

This lack of continuity and experience has ultimately resulted in a lack of a professional Civil Service coupled to a lack of accountability.

I firmly believe the much used/abused term of “Nation building” -when it has been passed to the armed forces to accomplish-is nothing other than a blame shifting exercise where politicians do not want to take responsibility for their actions and instead try to implicate the armed forces in the failure that will follow.

Rebuilding a fragile or failed state is not the responsibility of the armed forces. The armed forces, in support of the law enforcement agencies, need to create a climate of stability and security to enable government departments and agencies to fulfill their missions.

Therefore,assuming the state is not engaged in a civil war,rectification requires inter-alia the following:-

1. Strong political will that drives ever improving governance

2. Reassessment of Grand/National Strategy,National Security Strategies and policies

3. Cross-party political communication to reach consensus

4. Strong National will

5. Acceptance of accountability

6. Popular support i.e recognition of government’s legitimacy

7. Development of genuine national pride/patriotism

8. Refocused monetary and fiscal policies

9. Attractive,secure foreign investment opportunities

10. Establishment of industries (creating job opportunities)

11. Increased and improved service delivery

12. Increased productivity

13. Increased and improved(objective) law enforcement

14. An objective judiciary

15. Improved international perceptions/relations

16. Increased effectiveness of-and pride in-the armed forces

17. Increased effectiveness of intel services

In order to effectively manage themselves,these states ought to:-

1. Identify and neutralize threat drivers(internal and external)

2. Avoid appointing substandard and incompetent “advisors”

3. Continually re-evaluate national strategy and adjust where necessary

4. Increase legitimacy of state

5. Focus efforts to eradicate or at least reduce corruption

6. Find a balance between austerity measures and reduce unnecessary government spending

7. Implement,develop and expand affordable economic and political reforms

8. Increase efficiency in terms of service delivery

9. Reduce violent and nonviolent political actions

10. Target programs aimed at increased education and poverty reduction and so forth.

There is no quick fix though, only handwork, dedication and positive commitment and drive.

We need to start somewhere before its too late.

*******Deng Arok Thon is the son of the late Arok Thon Arok, one of the seven founders of the SPLM/A. 

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