Browsing by Author "Seegers, Annette"
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- ItemOpen AccessAl Shabaab as a transnational actor : a critical theoretical analysis(2016) Reid, Gabrielle Paxton; Seegers, AnnetteThe Somalia-based militant group, Al Shabaab, has conducted mass casualty transnational terrorist attacks and has become a regional security threat. In an effort to uncover the best explanation of the drivers behind the group's use of transnational terror, a critical analysis of Rational Choice Theory, Spill-over Conflict Theory and Regional War Complex Theory was conducted. Evaluating each theory according to whether its assumptions held true, the theory offered a parsimonious explanation of Al Shabaab's use of transnational terror which could be supported by at least three types of evidence, the strengths and weaknesses of each theory, with regard to explaining Al Shabaab's transnational terror were identified. The findings showed that Al Shabaab as a transnational actor should not be seen as a linear transformation of the group, moving outwards from Somalia, but connected to an interlinked web between countries in the Horn of Africa, where domestic vulnerabilities such as political and socioeconomic marginalisation and a vulnerability to radicalisation allow for the cross-pollination of intent, and the capabilities to carry out attacks. As such, the regional and international interconnections captured by the Regional War Complex offered the best explanation of the drivers of Al Shabaab's use of transnational terror. Although Rational Choice Theory most clearly highlighted Al Shabaab's intent to transform from a domestic actor to a regional one, and the Spill-over Model showed that refugees could offer a recruitment source, it was the increased regional capabilities through the establishment of affiliates located outside of Somalia which gave the group the capacity to carry out transnational attacks and to operate as a transnational actor.
- ItemOpen AccessAssessing rehabilitation of torture survivors through a gendered lens: a review of empirical and expert perspectives(2014) Goodman, Rachel; Van der Merwe, Hugo; Seegers, AnnetteTorture is a distinctly horrific human rights violation, which leaves survivors with an acute need for rehabilitation as a form of reparation. However, the state of knowledge around torture rehabilitation suffers from a knowledge gap around how gender influences the impact of torture and rehabilitation outcomes, particularly in developing countries. A gendered understanding of the torture experience can contribute towards the design and implementation of more relevant and effective rehabilitation policies and programs that are better equipped to respond to victims’ needs. Thus, the fundamental question that this dissertation asks is: within rehabilitation programs, should male and female torture survivors be treated differently? In investigating this question, this dissertation will provide an overview of the available literature on torture and torture rehabilitation in order to frame how key gender issues and debates have been understood to date. It will then present and analyze qualitative data around gender and torture impact and rehabilitation gathered from a study conducted by the Centre for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation (CSVR). This data was gathered through the use of the Delphi technique: a series of questionnaires were administered via email to a panel of 18 experts in the torture rehabilitation field from around the world, to assist in building consensus on both the impact of torture and the most adequate intervention optionsin developing countries. Each questionnaire included a separate gender section, where panellists were provided with primarily open-ended questions that yielded qualitative results. This data will be discussed in relation to the literature in order to present any new insights raised by consulting this source of expertise which is under represented in the literature base, as well as to highlight areas where more research is needed. There was consensus among the panel of experts that there are gender hypotheses that can inform rehabilitation practice, but many panelists were hesitant to agree that there are systematic differences that would demand different interventions between genders and rather stressed that individual assessment is important in each case, as gender-related aspects will be influenced by contextual, interpersonal, and individual factors. The data highlights a number of factors to consider when working with male and female torture survivors. In relation to male survivors, torture, and men’s inability to fulfill gender roles subsequently, may impact on their sense of self or manhood, which can lead to a range of negative coping behaviors. Males may also present with less obvious ways of expressing emotions and distress, or may be less likely to seek help in the aftermath of torture. This was raised particularly in relation to sexual torture victimization. The lack of literature available on male sexual torture is particularly concerning and this is a clear area where more research is needed. In relation to female victims of torture, a central factor to consider is the experience of sexual violence as part of torture and its consequences, especially the severe stigma that victims face. Female victims are often forced to develop new skills and take on new roles in the aftermath of torture, which provides both challenges and opportunities for their rehabilitation. Additionally, their ability to recover from torture is influenced by the challenges of caring for their children, and women are often likely to place the needs of their families before their own, which was not always seen as negative. It is hoped that this report will assist practitioners in the field of torture prevention and rehabilitation by illuminating the ways in which gender and torture interact, as a gendered understanding of the torture experience could enhance the treatment offered.
- ItemOpen AccessAssessing the people's navy : gender transformation and the South African Navy(2007) Taylor, Simon; Seegers, AnnetteThe South African Navy is required to implement the principle of gender equality as part of its transformation. This forms part of a broader project of transformation in South Africa, the Navy is one aspect of this. The dissertation is located in the field of Civil-Military Relations. The assessment of transformation is done by first, understanding the complex term transformation and its how it has been applied to the military. Second, the policies requiring transformation in the Department of Defence and the military are examined drawing on the Constitution, the White Paper on Defence, the Defence Review Process and numerous Parliamentary resources, including interviews with relevant Members of Parliament. To assess the Navy, three Naval Orders are examined (Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action, Social Responsibility, and Gender Transformation), which together constitute the Navy's policies regarding Gender Transformation. The assessment is furthered by the examination of the numbers of women serving in the Navy and the rank distribution. These statistics are then compared with: similar data from 1999; the relative situation to men in the Navy; the racial profile of the Navy; the different service arms; and to other navies. In comparison to the other service arms and international standards, the Navy's transformation has progressed well.
- ItemOpen AccessBoko Haram : an African insurgency(2016) Kristensen, Klaus Stig; Seegers, AnnetteBoko Haram emerged as an independent group in Nigeria in the early 2000s and has since begun an insurgency, primarily operating in the northeastern region of Nigeria and increasingly further south and across the country's borders. Researchers have conducted numerous studies analyzing the causes of the insurgency. However few have compared it to other insurgencies in Nigeria or Africa. This thesis analyzes the causes behind Boko Haram's operations by drawing on the main debates within the literature on causes of insurgency in Africa. This analysis demonstrates how the academic literature on insurgency in Africa highlights important causes of Boko Haram's insurgency, but it also identifies gaps in the literature. One of the most important findings of the thesis is that religion can be a dominate cause of conflict. I argue that one of the main causes of Boko Haram's insurgency is the political competition over various issues between Nigerian Islamic organizations and political organizations. The most recent examples are the implementation of Sharia law across many of the states in northern Nigeria coupled with elite mobilization of youth groups affiliated with mosques. The role of religion as a cause of Boko Haram´s insurgency should not however be exaggerated as specific state weaknesses, especially a weak security apparatus, caused by democratization have also been one of the significant causes.
- ItemOpen AccessCivil supremacy of the military in Namibia : an evolutionary perspective(1998) Lamb, Guy; Seegers, AnnetteThe aim of this dissertation is to analyse the phenomenon of civil supremacy, and in particular how it evolves and is sustained over time. A theoretical case study of Namibia will be undertaken to achieve this objective, with three traditions of civil supremacy, namely colonial, revolutionary/insurgent and democratic (as well as the relevant mechanisms and techniques), being the focus. This dissertation seeks to determine how these traditions emerge and develop over time. Basically, civil supremacy rests on a set of ideas, institutions and behaviours. Together these practices limit the possibility of excessive military intervention in political affairs and provide a system that endows civilian officials with the authority and the machinery to exercise supremacy in military affairs.
- ItemOpen AccessA critical analysis of international financial institutions' understanding of political corruption : a focus on the IMF, World Bank, and the ANC(2013) Vandome, Christopher; Seegers, AnnetteThis dissertation argues that the IFIs’ understanding of corruption, and thus their anticorruption and good governance policies and prescriptions, is based on the conceptualisation of corruption as a state centric phenomenon. As such, they are not concerned with corruption as a systematic problem. The IFIs’ definitions and views, although legitimate, prudent, and legal, are actually the road to ineffectiveness. But broader and more effective policies would require the IFIs to delve into domestic politics. Such political involvement would entail a great deal of risk on their part, and would be beyond their mandate and their appetite. In order to demonstrate this, this dissertation presents an overview of political corruption and the important role of the party in both the causes and consequences of systematic political corruption. The focus is on the relationship between the political party and the various systems of governance. The case of the ANC in South Africa is used to analyse whether an understanding of political corruption is necessary.
- ItemOpen AccessA critical analysis of South African peacemaking in the conflicts in the Great Lakes region(2009) Yonekawa, Masako; Seegers, AnnetteThe Great Lakes region, where conflict resolution and peace operations have been a challenge for 40 years, has been the site of continuous conflicts in the 1960s and 1990s. Despite South Africa's enormous contribution as a peacemaker in the region since 1996, the situation in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) remains fragile. How can another potentially deadly conflict in the Great Lakes region be prevented in the future? And how can South Africa improve its performance as a peacemaker? This dissertation analyses South Africa's peace-making efforts in the context of three events in the Great Lakes region: the 1994 Rwandan genocide, the First Congo War in 1996, and the Second Congo War in 1998. The dissertation takes an empirical approach and focuses on eastern DRC, which has the highest concentration of causalities and is crucial to the wars of the DRC. In addition to literature and documents, I have also incorporated key informant interviews and my own personal observations during my assignment as a humanitarian worker from March 2007 to July 2008. These interviews and observations may shed light on the conflict from the perspective of Congolese people. I argue that South Africa has failed as a peacemaker due to four main factors: South Africa's inadequate knowledge of mediation skills; its ambivalent and contradictory foreign policy that stressed the country's interests; its insufficient understanding of major causes, aggravating factors and the nature of this regionalised conflict; and the Southern African Development Community (SADC)'s paradoxical politics. The aim of this dissertation is to explore possible solutions to conflict by strengthening South Africa's peace-making opportunities, which IS the key to implementing successful conflict prevention.
- ItemOpen AccessA critical analysis of the religious causes of the 9(2004) Wood, Nichole Justine; Seegers, AnnetteIncludes bibliographical references.
- ItemOpen AccessA critical analysis of the United Nations Organisation mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo : a focus on MONUC(2012) Zvobgo, Tafadzwa; Seegers, AnnetteCritical discussions on United Nations (UN) peacekeeping operations are primarily failurefocused and seek to reform those operations, thus limiting the literature about peacekeeping and its results. This dissertation intends to expand the scope of inquiry into UN peacekeeping operations by critically analysing the United Nations Organisation Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUC). It accomplishes this by examining how MONUCs United Nation Security Council mandates and objectives (its prioritisation and interpretation of mission mandates) impacted the mission. In addition, it includes an examination of MONUCs accomplishments.
- ItemOpen AccessDemocratic Civil-Military Relations: A Framework for Analysis(SUN MeDIA Stellenbosch, 2017-09-22) Seegers, AnnettePolitical thought has long nurtured three fears about armed forces: that the people will make war on each other; that the government will make war on the people; and that the soldiers will make war on government. The democratic tradition has typical responses to these fears, among others by commercialising society; limiting and weakening the state empowering the legislature; encouraging professionalism; and punishing partisanship. When viewed from a behavioural or practical angle, many of these responses are deeply flawed.
- ItemOpen AccessEating soup with a knife : the South African military & counterinsurgency(2006) Gossmann, Anita; Seegers, AnnetteWord processed copy. Includes bibliographical references.
- ItemOpen AccessExit, voice, and loyalty: an analysis of African states' behaviour in relation to the international criminal court(2022) Rubin, Maxine; Seegers, Annette; Jolobe, ZwelethuAfrican states have been divided in their relations with the International Criminal Court (ICC). Despite these divisions, the literature on this relationship has focused on withdrawal behaviour to the neglect of other types of behaviour, such as support for the ICC. Consequently, it is unable to explain what influences the diverse behaviour. This dissertation adapts Albert Hirschman's Exit, Voice, and Loyalty (EVL) model into an International Relations model to categorise the different types of behaviour by African states and, subsequently, guide an explanation of the behaviour. Primary evidence of each African State Party's official policy position toward the ICC consisted of 208 country statements delivered between 2008 and 2018 at relevant United Nations and ICC forums. The study used discourse analysis to interpret satisfaction and dissatisfaction with the ICC in the statements and, consequently, categorise the states into one of the three behaviour groups for each year and forum. The country statement data are complemented by key informant semi-structured interviews, academic literature, news articles, and grey literature to explain the major factors influencing the behaviour of each state. Five explanatory variables were prevalent as explanations of African states' behaviour in relation to the ICC – head of state interests, domestic factors, regional politics, reputational factors, and economic factors. It was found that behaviour was caused by combinations of these variables. Broadly, exit and voice were primarily influenced by head of state interest and regional politics, whereas loyalty was influenced by reputational factors and/or economic factors. The results of this study have important implications for the study of Africa's international relations. The findings about the influence of the head of state variable demonstrated the relevance of the personalisation of power and how this affects the production of foreign policy. The heterogeneity of behaviour also challenges the usefulness of ‘Africa' as a category and highlights issues of essentialism and reductionism with the treatment of ‘Africa' as an indivisible unit of analysis, at least, regarding the withdrawal debate.
- ItemOpen AccessFood insecurity in Cape Town: how inadequate access affects human health and livelihoods(2013) Anthony, Jonathan A; Seegers, AnnetteDespite the increase in research on urban food insecurity, little has explicitly focused on spatial food access and malnutrition and under-nutrition amongst the urban poor in South Africa. Therefore, using a quantitative household data survey completed by the African Food Security Urban Network in 2008, this study examines the relationship of spatial food access and malnutrition and under-nutrition in three areas of Cape Town's peri-urban areas: Ocean View, Philippi, and Khayelitsha. An analysis of the survey data yields significant relationships between supermarkets and dietary diversity, as well as a robust relationship between poor household food access and malnutrition and under-nutrition. This study examined the differences of dietary diversity between Ocean View, Philippi, and Khayelitsha. This research discovered that while Ocean View had the highest household dietary diversity scores, they were also the most vulnerable to fluctuations due to their lack of spatial access to supermarkets. This study is a departure point for future research on these critical aspects of urban food insecurity in South Africa.
- ItemOpen AccessGetting to CODESA: an analysis on why multiparty negotiations in South Africa began, 1984-1991(2014) Jolobe, Zwelethu; Seegers, AnnetteThis dissertation examines the pre-negotiation stage of the negotiation process in South Africa leading to the first plenary session of the Convention for a Democratic of South Africa on 20 December 1991. The pre-negotiation stage was that period in the South African conflict when negotiated solutions were considered, and negotiation towards a political settlement was adopted as an option by the major parties, namely the National Party South African government and the African National Congress. The central question this dissertation asks is why did the South African multiparty negotiations begin? This question is important; De Klerk's seminal address to the Tricameral Parliament on 2 February 1990, and the subsequent release of Nelson Mandela on 11 February 1990, is often considered as the beginning of the negotiation process in South Africa. This however is not true. Negotiations did take place before this date and they were crucial in shaping the path towards multiparty negotiations. The important question therefore is what prepared the ground for 2 February 1990, and the resulting political process that l ed to multiparty negotiations. The dissertation thus has two sub-questions: (1) why negotiations in South Africa occurred at all; and (2) why the South African government ended up negotiating with the ANC. To answer these questions, the dissertation will use I. William Zartman's theory of ripeness as a guide, and Brian Tomlin's five-staged model of prenegotiation as an analytical framework. In this respect, the dissertation is a theoretical singlecase study. The dissertation argues that multiparty negotiations in South Africa began because the South African government and the African National Congress reached a shared understanding that the South African conflict could be solved through a negotiated solution, produced a commitment to a negotiated solution, and in the process, overcame the problem of preconditions as a barrier to the opening of multiparty negotiations.
- ItemOpen AccessThe identification and measurement of political risk : toward a firm-centric approach(1995) Andrews, Richard Quentin Dunkley; Schrire, Robert A; Seegers, AnnettePolitical risk analysis is the study of economic and social discontinuities and changes which result in speculative constraints and opportunities for transnational business. This paper explores the problem of establishing definitional congruity at conceptual and operational levels of analysis and recommends the adoption of firm-centric approaches to assessing risk originating in the political environment. Conclusions are arrived at by means of partial induction, based on a rigorous comparative examination of a comprehensive body of literature. The first section delineates various fiduciary frameworks, historical and definitional issues, covering the foundational concepts of certainty, uncertainty, chance and risk. Current definitions of political risk are compended, and a new definition is suggested, compatible with the day-to-day operations of globalised firms. Models and methods for the measurement and identification of political risk are reviewed in the second part of the paper. Conceptual and operational incongruencies are investigated from a perspective which aims at establishing the need for a firm-specific conceptual schematicisation of political risk. Approaches based on aggregation by macro or micro distinction are rejected in favour of the proposed conceptual model. Finally, the remaining part of the paper considers current and past models which place the firm at the centre of the analytical procedure. An abstract model of the firm is described for the purpose of including constraints on business interests, norms, rules, practices and procedures, profitability and other goals. Some empirical data is discussed with a view to confirming the necessity for adopting firm-centric approaches. The conclusion recommends further research in the form of empirical case studies which consider risk in relation to the individual firm.
- ItemOpen AccessThe impact of the 9/11 terrorist attacks on United States' security assistance to Southern Africa : a quantitative analysis(2008) Petersen, Michael E; Seegers, AnnettePrior to the 9/11 terrorist attacks, the United States government deemed Southern Africa to be of no strategic value. An impoverished region with a wealth of problems, Southern Africa mattered little to the United States government who approached regional security cooperation with a primarily minimalist approach. During the pre-9/11 years the United States did provide Southern African governments with some security sector assistance, primarily in direct military training and law enforcement programmes. Other areas such as peace support operations assistance, border and transportation security, and counter-proliferation training were marginal, as were arms authorisations. Everything changed on September 11th, 2001. The result of the attacks was a massive security and foreign policy shift for America. In response, the United States launched a Global War on Terror, which truly affected its relations with regions in every part of the globe, Southern Africa included. This thesis examines pre- and post-9/11 security assistance from the United States government to the nations of Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Zambia, and Zimbabwe in the time periods 1998-2001 and 2002-2005. Chapter Two focuses on pre-9/11 security cooperation and Chapter Three on post-9/11 security cooperation. Each chapter quantifies bilateral treaties and agreements, joint military exercises, military training, peace support operations training, arms authorisations and grants, nuclear security training, law enforcement training, and border and transportation security training and overall training expenditure. Chapter Four then pools the data together and provides a pre vs. post- 9/11 analysis of collective security cooperation. Results are stated in percent changes from pre- 9/11 levels. Training and arms per soldier ratios are calculated based on the data to produce regional rankings of United States' assistance. Chapter Five offers conclusive observations and recommendations.
- ItemOpen AccessInclusion and exclusion as problems of peace processess : the case of Burundi(2009) Viken, Anne Schive; Seegers, AnnetteIn conflict resolution literature, the principle of all-inclusiveness, which calls for all warring parties to be included in a peace process for it to be successful, has become conventional wisdom and orthodoxy. This study challenges the principles of all-inclusiveness by critically analysing problems related to issues of "inclusion" and "exclusion" of warring parties, as seen from a mediator's perspective. The literature on peace processes is examined in relation to five themes: The foundation for the principle of all-inclusiveness; the relationship between participation and the use of violence; consequences of exclusion; participation in relation to parties' characteristics; and consequences of all-inclusiveness. A set of questions are raised through which the issue of all-inclusiveness can be investigated, and on this basis, the 1998 peace process in Burundi is studied. The case of Burundi challenges the principle of all-inclusiveness as the process was successful despite the exclusion of several armed groups and highlights important dimensions for the question of participation. The central argument of the thesis is that the issue of participation, in particular its relation to success, is much more complex than recognised in the literature.
- ItemOpen AccessInterventionist foreign policy : Uganda' s security challenges : a study(2008) Mafumbo, Charlotte Karungi; Seegers, Annette
- ItemOpen AccessKenya and the ICC: the politics of the 2007 post-election violence(2013) Fromet De Rosnay, Amandine; Seegers, AnnetteIn December 2007, Kenya held a presidential election. The incumbent was Mwai Kibaki of the Party of National Unity (PNU). His political opponent was Raila Odinga of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM). The vote was peaceful and described by many in positive terms; that is, a continuation of the positive democratic transition that Kenya began toward the end of the 1990s. However, many in Kenya accused the government of foul play, when the Electoral Commission of Kenya (ECK) delayed declaring a winner for two days. The ECK eventually declared Kibaki President, and rushed the swearing - in ceremony, skipping the stipulated 72 hours. Two days after declaring Kibaki president, Samuel Kivuitu, the chair of the ECK, admitted he did not know whether Kibaki had won the elections. He insisted that he had agreed to release the results and announce Kibaki as president, under pressure from above. Kenya then experienced its worst bout of violence since the Mau Mau rebellion, before independence. The Post - Election Violence (PEV) lasted two months. It was resolved following an agreement, the Kenya National and Reconciliation Dialogue (K N D R), negotiated by a Panel of Eminent Personalities. The fighting parties agreed to form a Government of National Unity (GNU), a Commission of Enquiry into the Post - Election Violence (CIPEV) and an Independent Review Commission on the General elections (Kriegler Commission). The GNU was to have Kibaki reinstated as President, to add the post of Prime Minister for Odinga, and was to undertake a reconciliation and accountability process, prosecuting perpetrators. This thesis seeks to determine what were the politics that led Kenya to prosecute those who bore greatest responsibility for the PEV. More specifically, what were the politics that resulted in selecting the ICC, as the court where individuals were going to be held accountable?
- ItemOpen AccessLegislative control over the military : a critical analysis of the strategic arms package(2006) Sylvester, Justin; Seegers, AnnetteIncludes bibliographical references (leaves 89-100).