Colonial Borders and National Security; Case Study Horn of Africa from 1956 to 2005

Abstract

This study sets to examine the colonial borders in the Horn of Africa and the implications on National Security. It explores the border formation in pre-colonial times and the conflicts over the borders after independence. The Study finds that the borders divided some ethnic groups into different countries, making it difficult to manage and control movements along these borders because of the kin-country phenomena. The social economic and political situations have an impact on the security situations along the borders due to neglected social developments and lack of economic empowerment of pastoral communities. The border landers smuggle contraband goods and arms across the porous borders because of weak government structures in these areas. The borders left by the colonialists shall remain contentious and no country shall cede its inherited borders in the near future. The porous borders will present a security challenge because it is not practical to position security forces along these borders, however if poverty alleviation strategies are implemented the insecurity can be minimized. The Human security has a bearing on the overall national security and governments must make policies which ensure safety of its citizens in order to achieve national security objectives.