ABSTRACT
The ensuing cycle of political insecurity, authoritarianism, protestations of humanitarian intentions, and repression has struck the majority of African countries. The black-ruled states would benefit greatly from cooperation in the area of security. Military equipment and organization are expensive and divert resources from the real needs of the continent's peoples. The enemies of African security are sometimes physically capable of wreaking real havoc on the fractionated units that currently compose the continent. A significant measure of military cooperation would enable the legitimate authorities to neutralize some of the enemy forces. The most impressive sort of political and military cooperation, should African states be able to make progress with it, would be at the continental level. Continental peacekeeping forces could have beneficial roles to play in safeguarding minorities until regional autonomy or other solutions could be worked out between the central government and such groups.
