Publication

Military acceptance of civilian authority remains a missing piece of Africa’s democratic transition puzzle. While the continent's militaries often perceive the doctrine of democratic civilian control as an unwanted restriction on their purviews and prerogatives, such control actually boosts the legitimacy, capabilities, and performance of the armed forces over time. This policy brief argues that these benefits will not accrue if Africa’s parliaments fail to assert and exercise more robust control and oversight over their security establishments.