Africa's lack of credit-worthiness means there has been a process of disarmament by attrition rather than choice. That however compares badly with the 21.8 percent recorded by Central America and the Caribbean over the same period and 27.2 percent in Eastern Europe as the peace dividend was cashed in by both regions. One million dollars will add very little to a country's military capabilities, but the same amount could build and equip two hospitals that will help thousands of people for decades. Even if the high-ticket items of modern combat aircraft or tanks are increasingly beyond the budget of most African militaries not engaged in conflict, for a continent that produces little of its most basic of military needs, even socks, boots and uniforms are imported items and paid for out of foreign earnings. Spending on an essentially unproductive sector without a review when Africa's social services are being slashed to the bone under economic reform programs seems a criminal misapplication of resources.
African militaries are likely to face.
A proposal for demobilization would include both a recommendation for the reduction in the size of armed forces and the nature of the tasks the military should perform. A large portion of a government's security budget will be predetermined by the need to keep troops paid, fed, clothed and housed. But soldiering is one area of public sector employment, or even welfare, that has proved resistant to cuts. Countries recovering from war are saddled with the legacy of large standing armies and their experience of demobilization is indicative of the general problems associated with tackling troop levels. A peace process however does provide the opportunity to start a rationalizing procedure.