Human Security and Epidemics in Africa: Learning from Covid-19, Ebola and HIV

This book examines the impact of epidemics in Africa, exploring some of the adaptation and crisis management strategies adopted to tackle COVID-19, Ebola, and HIV-AIDS. The authors reflect on lessons learned from solving complex problems and difficult decisions made by leaders on pandemic management to shape the security environment and, thus, the well-being of people living in Africa for years to come.

Drawing on cases from across the continent, the book demonstrates that, significantly, during the COVID-19 pandemic, African countries and communities frequently displayed regional solidarity, creativity in decision-making, decisiveness in dealing with corruption and opportunism, and resilience and discipline in implementation. Adopting a human security framework, the authors share their lived experiences and explore the impact of epidemics on public policy decision-making, foreign policy implementation, global relations, collaboration in the community dimension, and, ultimately, the future of socio-economic development in Africa.

This book will be a welcome addition for practitioners and researchers across the fields of security studies, health management, and African studies, making an essential contribution to the security discourse in a post-COVID world.

Andreas ＂Dries＂ Velthuizen is a full professor at the University of South Africa (Unisa), on the Thabo Mbeki African School for Public- and International Affairs (TM-School) faculty, specialising in African Conflict Studies. His primary academic interest is to teach and develop new theories for conflict resolution, peace, and security in Africa, informed by the African way of knowing (epistemology), following a trans-disciplinary approach. As a National Research Foundation (NRF) rated researcher (C2), he shares his research through the supervision of post-graduate students, teaching advanced learning programs and as Editor-in-Chief of the reputable African Security Review (ASR). His qualifications include a D Litt et Phil degree in Politics from Unisa, an MA in Strategic Studies, and a BA in International Politics. He published extensively and presented his work at academic conferences and workshops on most continents as part of international collaborations. Dries Velthuizen is a Paul Harris Fellow (Sapphire) of Rotary International, appropriately focussing on peace and conflict resolution. In this regard, he is a guiding force of the Africa Rotary Community Mediation (ARCOM) program to train community mediators in Africa.

Caroline Varin is co-founder and CEO of educational charity Professors Without Borders. She holds a PhD in International Relations from the London School of Economics and an LLM in International Law from the Università di Bologna. She has published six books on international and African security and a textbook on the use of games in higher education. Caroline was senior lecturer in International Relations at Regent’s University and has taught at the London School of Economics and Richmond University London.