Private Security in Africa: From the Global Assemblage to the Everyday (Africa Now)

“Across Africa, growing economic inequality, instability and urbanization have led to the rapid spread of private security providers. While these PSPs have already had a significant impact on African societies, their impact has so far received little in the way of comprehensive analysis. Drawing on a wide range of disciplinary approaches, and encompassing anthropology, sociology and political science, Private Security in Africa offers unique insight into the lives and experiences of security providers and those affected by them, as well as into the fragile state context which has allowed them to thrive. Featuring original empirical research and case studies ranging from private policing in South Africa to the recruitment of Sierra Leoneans for private security work in Iraq, the book considers the full implications of PSPs for security and the state, not only for Africa but for the world as a whole.” Across Africa, growing economic inequality, instability, and urbanization have led to the rapid rise of private security providers. While these private security providers have already had a significant impact on African societies, their impact has so far received little in the way of comprehensive analysis-until now. Drawing on a wide range of disciplinary approaches, and encompassing anthropology, sociology, and political science, Private Security in Africa offers unique insight into the lives and experiences of security providers and those affected by them, as well as into the fragile state context which has allowed them to thrive. Featuring original research and case studies ranging from private policing in South Africa to the recruitment of Sierra Leonean men for private security work in Iraq, the book considers the full implications of private security providers on security and the state, not only within Africa but for the world as a whole Title Copyright Contents Acknowledgements Introduction 1 Golden assemblages: security and development in Tanzania's gold mines 2 Failed, weak or fake state? The role of private security in Somalia 3 Private security beyond the private sector: community policing and secret societies in Sierra Leone 4 The underbelly of global security: Sierra Leonean ex-militias in Iraq 5 Who do you call? Private security policing in Durban, South Africa 6 Security Sector Reform as Trojan Horse? The new security assemblages of privatized military training in Liberia. 7 Political becoming and non-state emergence in Kenya's security sector: Mungiki as security operator8 Parapluies politiques: the everyday politics of private security in the Democratic Republic of Congo Epilogue: African assemblages of private security About the editors and contributors Index. Title; Copyright; Contents; Acknowledgements; Introduction; 1 Golden assemblages: security and development in Tanzania's gold mines; 2 Failed, weak or fake state? The role of private security in Somalia; 3 Private security beyond the private sector: community policing and secret societies in Sierra Leone; 4 The underbelly of global security: Sierra Leonean ex-militias in Iraq; 5 Who do you call? Private security policing in Durban, South Africa; 6 Security Sector Reform as Trojan Horse? The new security assemblages of privatized military training in Liberia.;A comprehensive analysis of the rise of private security providers across Africa, and its implications for African states and societies.