Effect of Militarisation on Development and Democracy in Africa

Abstract : improving in tandem with the Africa Agenda 2063 are bleak. Africa has plenty of mineral wealth and natural resources yet it remains the least developed region of the Third World. Self-inflicted tragedies galore, derailing the economic progress of the nations. This paper adopted descriptive and analytical methods in its discussion of the effect of militarisation on development and democracy in Africa. The development path of many African nations has no definite pattern to stir the much-required progress. Many policies have been brought forward to guide development with no significant improvement. Some reasons for policy failure may be caused by the way the institutions are being run. The concept of militarisation as brought by this study may add to the impacting factors. Militarisation comes in many forms, and within these forms exist the impacting ones to development and democracy in Africa. This paper offers evidence across Africa that militarypolitical power is detrimental to the positive effect of democracy and hence development. Corruption becomes common where nations are militarised further worsening the development path. Political and economic instability prevails in such nations due to human rights violations caused by militarisation. The study emphasizes the appropriate demilitarisation process for many African nations, establishments of effective civil-military relationships, upholding the rule of law, protecting human rights, avoiding racial and cultural discriminations, institutions autonomy, transparent and collaborative political environment, among other recommendations to ensure attainment of inclusive development and praised democracy. Militarisation is never linked to economic prosperity, rather perpetuates conflict and destruction of states. Post-colonial Africa is in dire need of tangible economic progress, and this is only possible when good policies are effected.