Africa: Facing Human Security Challenges in the 21st Century

Preface

xv Preface In the post-Cold War world, a series of horrendous internal conflicts have claimed the lives of millions of people in regions like Africa, Asia and Eastern Europe. The specter of genocide, ethnic cleansing, failed and lawless states, and massive refugee flows beg a coordinated international response. In an age of global communications around a shrinking global village, governments can no longer turn a blind eye to human atrocities in hotspots in the world. The international media contribute to an emerging global conscience through the transmission of live images of brutal conflict and the concomitant human suffering. The resulting “humanitarian imperative” (sometimes dubbed the CNN effect when caused by media reports) pressures nations as well as individuals to develop new initiatives and policy responses to save lives and alleviate human suffering. In the human security domain, where the sanctity of human life is paramount, the pressing need has been to find effective means and mechanisms to protect human beings, especially the many innocent victims of armed attacks. This humanitarian action is usually complemented by an active effort at both conflict prevention and post-war recovery, that is, through the entire timeline of conflict. Canadian Foreign Minister Lloyd Axworthy made human security his hallmark and brought Canada to a leadership position on the issue. In 1999, he summarized Canada’s human security policy thus: “It is, in essence, an effort to construct a global Society where the safety of the individual is at the centre of international priorities and a motivating force for international action; where international human standards and the rule of law are advanced and woven into a coherent web protecting the individual; where those who violate these standards are held fully accountable; and where our global, regional and bilateral institutions - present and future - are built and equipped to enhance and enforce these standards.” xvi The horrendous crimes against humanity explain why twentyfirst century readers of the Scriptures are likely to be uncomfortable with the book of Lamentations and its stories of weeping, groaning, and grieving. But the act of lamenting is not unique to biblical Israelites. Today’s Africa is full of lament-worthy situations. One need only turn on the CNN news to see and hear countless stories from places like South Sudan, Nigeria, Somalia, Central African Republic, you name them—plagued by ethnic cleansing, human trafficking, genocides, corrupt government officials, and boarded up businesses—to understand the devastating impact of high unemployment, increased crime, and precarious civic finances that have taken a toll on African communities. Further, the continent’s working poor earn wages that are so meager they have a hard time providing basic necessities for their families. Many cannot make ends meet, which ultimately leads to feelings of despair and a decreased sense of self-worth. It is no surprise therefore that the Book of Lamentations is unpopular even among Bible enthusiasts. Its title, authorship, and images are troubling. Few who read the Bible for devotional purposes seek spiritual upliftment from laments. The title alone may explain why. In all my years of attending church services, I have yet to experience a sermon built upon the Book of Lamentations. Despite its lack of popularity, Lamentations models the importance of acknowledging dreadful situations in today’s modern society. Our world is full of lament-worthy circumstances, and this oft-forgotten book highlights a critical element of the lament process: hope. More importantly, the theology of Lamentations affirms the importance of giving voice to our feelings of despair. It is in this spirit “of giving voice to our feelings of despair” that I embarked on researching and writing a book on challenges facing human security in Africa in the twenty-first century-a century under the claws of corporate globalization. Corporate globalization is among the most powerful forces shaping the contemporary world, especially the weak and dependent states in Africa. It is affecting in profound ways what African people consume; how and where they conduct business; how they marshal and employ savings; and how they communicate with one xvii another. It is changing the structure of many African societies, creating vast new opportunities for some and causing terrifying dislocations for others. Globalization is surely making it easier for individuals in Africa to become more aware of cultures in far-off lands; but it is also creating a sense of loss for some individuals as to their long-held values and ways of...