Despite important democratic advances in Africa over the past several years, many of Africa's militaries remain politicized. This is reflected in situations (such as in Côte d'Ivoire and the DRC, among others) where security sectors have actively aligned themselves with incumbent leaders seeking to stay in power. Such positioning is discrediting security sector institutions and marginalizing the role they can play when transitions do occur. With 20 national elections planned in 2012, how security sector leaders manage these competing interests will be central to Africa's political development in the coming year.    

In "Africa's Militaries: A Missing Link in Democratic Transitions," the latest Africa Security Brief from the Africa Center for Strategic Studies (ACSS), Dr. Mathurin Houngnikpo, Chair of Civil-Military Relations at ACSS, examines the challenges and opportunities facing Africa's security leaders as they navigate these shifting expectations.