ABSTRACT
After World War II, and in light of the devastation of Germany and Japan, the international community understood the importance of rebuilding the state. Having ignored Germany after World War I, the global community recognized the consequences of turning a blind eye to the inherent crisis of state fragility. Consequently, efforts were made to develop states with strong economic and political institutions. This process of state building did not take place overnight. Instead, three decades would pass before Japan and Germany would be considered strong, stable nations. Much has changed since World War II. The priorities of the international community have shifted. Providing immediate economic aid to states in crisis has become the primary strategy of the United Nations. Terrorism and political violence are just symptoms of a larger systemic problem: state failure. Given that the incidence of state failure is so prevalent in Sub-Saharan Africa region.
