Conceptualization of Human Security and Its Policy Implications

Abstract

The Horn of Africa is one of the most conflict ridden regions in the Continent. In fact, it is labeled as an extension of the Middle East hotspot given the region’s propensity to the taking shape and escalation of violence marked by rebel activities, military coups, ethnic and racial insurgencies, human rights violations, and state collapse. What is more, in view of the broadening and deepening of the concept of security as well as the emergence of new threats of security in the region spanning from different trans-national crimes such as terrorism, human and drug trafficking, money laundering, illegal migration, cybercrimes, maritime piracy, small arms proliferation etc. to widespread environmental degradation, diseases, climate change and even political policies that are prejudicial to national sovereignty necessitates the re-conceptualization of security in the Horn of Africa. Thus, in this undertaking, secondary sources were used to shed light on the changing conceptualization of security with the aim of elucidating its implications for security policy in the Horn of Africa in general and in Ethiopia in particular.