NEW REALITIES OF INSURGENCY IN AFRICA: THE CASE OF WOMEN AND CHILDREN AS VICTIMS

OLUMUYIWA ADEBAYO ADETUNJI, PhD & ADEBUSOLA OMOTOLAOKEDELE, PhD

Abstract

All over the world, the primary purpose of government remains the security of citizens’ lives and propertieshowever, this goal has been interrupted owing to the new realities of insurgency in Africa which have put to test the role of governments thereby causing citizens to live in fear, apprehension and agony due to the level of destruction and carnage that has been inflicted by the insurgents in different parts of the country. This paper argues that the new realities of insurgency have further exposed women and children who are usually victims of insecurity. This paper usesthe two cases of Nigeria and Kenya which have both suffered substantially from the attacks of Boko Haram and Al-Shabab groups respectively. Considering the devastating effects of these new realities on all and sundry with women and children feeling the heat the more, this paper calls for an urgent action to tackle this emerging threat. It is for this reason that this paper recommends a more pragmatic approach to deal with the problem of insurgency as well as the need for Nigeria and Kenya to share military intelligence since both states have become targets of repeated attacks by these groups that are renowned for leaving in their trail devastation, destruction and instability.