ABSTRACT

International borders are a security issue for all governments but particularly so in Africa because of its vast and porous national borders. It is significant to note that even developed western states are known to harbour serious concerns about security around their common boundaries. The insecurity surrounding boundary posts ought to be of paramount interest to the existing RECs and boundary researchers generally. Many of Africa's border communities have become host to a pandora of negative developments including people smuggling, drugs and illegal weapons. There is a need for more policing and security presence around international borders but this alone will not solve the many security problems posed by borders. The fact is that border areas tend to be some of the most deprived areas of national territories with little access to investment and socio-economic activities and infrastructure. It is significant to note that virtually all the economic powerhouses in Africa have had boundary problems with their neighbours since independence.