The Efficacy of Defence Diplomacy in Promoting Peace and Security in Africa: a Case Study of Kenya
Abstract
Defence diplomacy refers to the non-violent activities or undertakings carried out by security
and defence institutions to further government objectives through collaboration and
partnerships with other related players in the global system. Through the development of inter-
State interactions, mutual trust and interdependence are further strengthened in an increasingly
globalized world. Numerous techniques for resolving disputes have been employed since
African States gained their independence in the 1960s. Despite significant progress in conflict
management and resolution, still conflicts persist throughout Africa. The purpose of this study's
thesis was to examine a different way of addressing this gap by investigating the efficacy of
defence diplomacy in building partnership and cooperation in the promotion of peace and
security in Africa.
The study’s methodology was underpinned by mixed research approach. The target population
comprised Senior Military Officers and Civilian Staff in related security Ministries,
Departments and agencies. The key characteristics of the target population was such that each
participant had twenty years or more of experience, was or had been employed in a decisionmaking
position, had served or has more than twenty years of service, and had had higher
education level degree or above. The sample size was determined using Cochran’s formula for
an unknown population and a sample size of 385 was reached. However, to achieve
heterogeneity aspect of the data, 44 participants of the sample were earmarked from the African
functional regional security mechanisms using purposeful sampling technique. Simple random
sampling technique was applied on the remaining sample population on the MDAs. Data
analysis followed scientific practices including, category coding, conversation and discourse
analysis, and graphical interpretations.
The study found out that, there are defence diplomacy activities and undertakings that establish
linkages with foreign and defence policy, while others engender States cooperation in
addressing contemporary global security threats. In addition, the study established that defence
diplomacy could be exploited in fostering peace and security in Africa, as the impact of
Kenya’s defence diplomacy, despite not referred to as such, was found to have had an impact
in the region. Notwithstanding, the study’s hypothesis were found to hold.
The study recommends that the AU's Peace and Security Commission implement a common
education and professional training policy to encourage cooperation and partnership between
States in functioning regional security mechanisms. Additional research is needed to examine
areas of shared interest in defence diplomacy that can address the foundational
operationalization of non-operational regional security mechanisms. Additionally, in view of
this study, Kenya’s defence policy demand’s a review to include defence diplomacy, to capture
the national MDAs related to security and furthering governments national interests through
defence and security collaborations and partnerships..
Publisher
University of Nairobi
Rights
Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 United StatesUsage Rights
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/us/Collections
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