Insight on Africa

West Africa’s trajectory to democratisation and sustained socio-economic development has, since the end of the Cold War, been hamstrung by various forms of violence ranging from bloody civil wars, sectarian conflicts, coup d’états and secessionist insurgency. While some of these conflicts have to an extent been managed through the various interventions of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the region is still stifled by emerging security threats, especially as new waves of terrorism threaten the legitimacy and territorial integrity of some member states, with more obvious and painful evidence in Nigeria and Mali. Against this background, this article will explore the terrorist challenges in Nigeria and Mali in order to establish an identifiable trend and their regional linkages with other Al-Qaeda elements in the Sahel and the Maghreb. The article assesses the capacity of a regional response and argues for more security cooperation among West African governments through the coordination of ECOWAS and the long-term support of the African Union and the international community.

Higher Education Systems throughout the world are in the process of internationalisation, with institutions wanting to attract increasing number of international students to their campuses. Unfortunately, in India, in spite of our traditional ties with African nations, the African student population coming to India is declining. India needs to be concerned about this development. The article analyses the possible reasons for this decline and recommends measures for attracting more African students to India through greater cooperation between African and Indian Governments and Universities. The India–Africa Forum of the Government of India has to include higher education as a major sector for cooperation in the future.

Due to the globalised nature of the world, the political foreign policies of landlocked states (LLS) have been affected, resulting in landlocked countries lagging behind their maritime neighbours in the overall development. Within the notion of landlocked states, it is important to note that there is a difference between states surrounded by the territory of only one other state, which can be defined as ‘enclaves’, and those that have several other states to engage with. The problems of enclaves are more delicate and serious than those of non-enclave LLS. Their mere economic existence, leading to political existence, may depend heavily upon the benevolence of their encircling neighbours.

The Kingdom of Lesotho is an enclave landlocked, independent parliamentary constitutional monarchy, entirely surrounded by the Republic of South Africa. The tiny landlocked country, covering 30,355 square kilometres, has been subject to both internal and external political issues. Lesotho has had numerous forms of government, coups and internal political factions, which have hindered political development and stability. Detrimental to its economy, sovereignty and political power was the 1998 South African - Southern African Development Community (SADC) military intervention. The article explores these issues.

Foreign direct investment is identified as a major catalyst of economic growth and transformation in developing economies of the world including Nigeria given the investment–savings gap. Over the years, Nigeria has witnessed sustained increase in foreign direct investment in the economy. It is however worrisome that it has not been able to transform the economy to any significant level. Consistent efforts have been made by successive governments in Nigeria that focus on policies that would attract foreign direct investment into the economy but the impact has been dismal. Consequently, the country is still characterised by a high level of unemployment, unstable prices, low per capita income, exchange rate volatility, external imbalances and prevalence of a poverty situation. This article aims at determining the macroeconomic determinants of foreign direct investment and its impact on economic transformation in Nigeria. Secondary data for the period 1981–2011 was used for the investigation. Time series estimates are obtained using Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) methodology which includes: stationary and co-integration tests. It was discovered that market size (GDP), human capital (HCAP), infrastructural development (INFRADEV), inflation (CPI) and index of energy consumption (IEC) are positively related to foreign direct investment in Nigeria. Unstable exchange rates (NEXR), interest rate (INT), under developed financial sector (BSTCR) and low per capita incomes have had negative impact on Foreign Direct Investment in the economy. The research recommends increase in energy consumption through regular supply of electricity, increase in GDP, development of human capital and a critical infrastructure to create a competitive and conducive business environment as well as reduction of exchange rate instability, interest rate distortions and development of the financial sector for a meaningful transformation of the Nigerian economy.

Since 2008, due to surge in maritime piracy along its coasts, Somalia has attracted considerable international attention. In this context, the article apart from examining the reasons for the outbreak of piracy in the region also attempts to understand the dynamics of Somalia piracy. The dramatic rise in Somalia pirate attacks forced the international community to adopt various counter-piracy measures in which India also played a crucial role. This article reviews the international and Indian responses to curb this menace. However, the limitations associated with the international community in this initiative cannot be ignored.

Stephen A. Emerson, The Battle for Mozambique: The Frelimo-Renamo Struggle, 1977–1992, 30 Degrees South Publishers, 2013, $23, pp. 256, ISBN 978-1-920143-91-6.

Lata Leenco, Peacekeeping as State Building: Current Challenges for the Horn of Africa, The Red Sea Press, Ewing Township, USA, 2012, $20, pp. 160, ISBN 978-1569023532.