The many faces of human security: Case studies of seven countries in Southern Africa

This text is the introductory material for a book titled 'The many faces of human security: Case studies of seven countries in Southern Africa', produced by the Institute for Security Studies (ISS) with funding from the Royal Danish embassy in South Africa. It outlines the collaborative effort between the ISS, the Southern African Peace and Security Network (SAPSNet), and various academic and strategic partners across seven Southern African nations to explore the concept of human security in a region historically dominated by state security priorities.

• The concept of human security is contested in southern Africa because state security throughout much of the previous century was often directed against the population rather than for their benefit.
• The primary challenges currently impacting people in the region are rooted in poverty, marginalisation, and a legacy of mistrust, rather than threats from failed states, international terrorism, or armed invasion.
• The Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the wider region need to shift their security discourse away from threat perceptions and vulnerabilities, instead basing future security on the pillars of order, justice, and peace.
• Establishing security in southern Africa requires the protection and promotion of shared values, specifically democracy, individual freedom, human rights, and the peaceful resolution of disputes.

APA

Muloongo, K., Kibasomba, R., & Kariri, J. N. (n.d.). The many faces of human security: Case studies of seven countries in Southern Africa. Institute for Security Studies. https://issafrica.org/research/books/the-many-faces-of-human-security-case-studies-of-seven-countries-in-southern-africa

Chicago

Muloongo, Keith, Roger Kibasomba, and Jemima Njeri Kariri. The many faces of human security: Case studies of seven countries in Southern Africa. Institute for Security Studies, n.d. https://issafrica.org/research/books/the-many-faces-of-human-security-case-studies-of-seven-countries-in-southern-africa.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Muloongo |first1=Keith |last2=Kibasomba |first2=Roger |last3=Kariri |first3=Jemima Njeri |title=The many faces of human security: Case studies of seven countries in Southern Africa |publisher=Institute for Security Studies |url=https://issafrica.org/research/books/the-many-faces-of-human-security-case-studies-of-seven-countries-in-southern-africa |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{muloongondmany, author = {Muloongo, Keith and Kibasomba, Roger and Kariri, Jemima Njeri}, title = {{The many faces of human security: Case studies of seven countries in Southern Africa}}, institution = {Institute for Security Studies}, url = {https://issafrica.org/research/books/the-many-faces-of-human-security-case-studies-of-seven-countries-in-southern-africa}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }