The economies are in no better situation, for they are assumed by criminal activities. Bribery, extortion, and black markets become the prevailing economic order. People pay hefty prices, as they struggle with the hardships engendered by the failure of the economy. In some cases, individuals opt for the currencies of the neighboring states to alleviate their difficulties. No less significant is the humanitarian crisis that comes with the failure of states.
Criminal activity increases, as many kinds of deadly weapons are introduced into the market.
Marauding gangs and militia members, who are not responsible to any recognized authority, terrorize innocent civilians. Famine, starvation, and diseases endanger the local people. In short, human security in Africa is in a precarious situation. The challenges of attaining the security of people are manifold and include poor relations between the military and civilian authorities, the prevalence of a politics of exclusion, the weakness of civil society, and the failure of states. Abdul Omar is with Project Ploughshares.