TITLE:
Security and Strategic Studies: The Neglected Aspect of Securing Africa’s Future
AUTHORS:
Katongole Badhul, Solomon Muchwa Asiimwe, John Paul Kasujja
KEYWORDS:
Security, Strategy, Security Studies, Strategic Studies, Neglect of Security and Strategic Studies, Security Governance
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Social Sciences,
Vol.13 No.10,
October
20,
2025
ABSTRACT: This study investigated the development of Security and Strategic Studies (SSS) in African institutions, motivated by the observed disconnect between the growing number of SSS courses in African universities and military institutions, and the utilization of SSS insights by African governments. The study aimed to understand the potential of SSS to contribute to Africa’s security and development, and the consequences of neglecting these studies. It also examined the barriers to integrating SSS into African security frameworks, which hinder informed policy decisions and development trajectories. Using a qualitative approach, 15 respondents from diverse African countries, representing universities, government, intergovernmental, and non-governmental organizations in Uganda, were interviewed, and their insights were corroborated through document analysis. The study revealed that SSS in Africa originated in military academies and later expanded to civilian universities, gaining momentum in the 2000s due to the need for trained specialists to inform security and strategic discourse. However, the contribution of SSS is hindered by state-centric biases and a lack of collaboration between academics, security practitioners, and policymakers, leaving African states vulnerable in the international system. The study recommended establishing a clear institutional framework, including think tanks and a dedicated entity for developing and applying SSS insights, to secure Africa’s future through sustainable peace, security, and development.