“NOTHING BALANCES IN THE BALANCE OF POWER”: POWER POLITICS AND AFRICAN SECURITY GOVERNANCE

Abstract

Numerous academic studies have thoroughly examined and recorded the historical and modern aspects of great power politics, shedding light on the underlying power dynamics, strategic interests, and geopolitical rivalries that shape the international system. Explaining how these processes affect security governance and regional stability as they resonate throughout the African continent, however, has received less attention. In light of this, the paper aims to investigate the framework of great power politics in Africa through a nuanced analysis, providing the groundwork for a more thorough comprehension of the complex interplay between major global powers and African security dynamics. This paper adopts the interpretive qualitative method for data analysis in order to examine the impact of great power politics on Africa and its implications for African security governance. It relies on both primary and secondary data collection methods (from academic literature, government publications, and media reports), in addition to key informant interviews, to extract crucial information about the complexities and implications of the interactions of major global powers in African security governance vis-à-vis the aspect of major balancer. The paper highlights the impact it has on regional stability and security challenges on the continent, demonstrating the relevance of comprehending the interplay between great power politics and African security governance in today's complex international relations environment.