Sub-Saharan Africa

In: The military balance: the annual assessment of global military capabilities and defence economics, S. 277-328

Abstract

This chapter provides an independent & detailed account of military capabilities & defense economics for countries of Sub-Sahara Africa. The political & humanitarian crisis in Sudan & the subsequent flow of Sudanese refugees into the neighboring Chad; and, the disintegrating peace agreement between the government in Khartoum & southern Sudanese rebels all prove to be a constant challenge. In Niger Delta, political instability has threatened the West's access to Nigerian oil. Islamic jihadists have been able to establish a strong presence from the Horn of Africa all the way to Mauritania. Along Africa's coastlines, cocaine smuggling & piracy remain significant challenges. The U.N. most involved peacekeeping missions are in Africa because, both individually & collectively, many African nations lack the military might to deal with the problems occurring on that continent. The African Union is lobbying hard for the bolstering & coordination of African military power. Statistics & details concerning the region's countries' defense budgets & capabilities are provided. C. Goger