Searching for the African Clausewitz: African military thought and the universality of strategic studies

Built around a corpus of ‘classic thinkers’ such as Carl von Clausewitz, the field of strategic studies has a decidedly Eurocentric basis that is entirely devoid of African thinkers and case studies. In contrast, this article shows that there is a rich tradition of African military thought that deserves further academic scrutiny. Through a comparative analysis, this article discusses three key elements of modern African military thought: the eclectic inspiration behind strategic thinking, the regional dimension of African warfare, and the legacy of violent resistance for contemporary security actors. We argue that without the inclusion of African military thought, the theoretical basis of strategic studies cannot claim to be universal. Enriching the field with African thinkers will not only lead to a better understanding of African affairs but can also contribute to a greater diversity in approaches to strategy.

The full article can be read in the Journal of Strategic Studies here.