Meaning of Human Security Revisited

This briefing by the Institute for Security Studies examines the concept of human security, specifically within the African context. It argues that human security must prioritize the individual over the state, focusing on the satisfaction of basic needs and the achievement of 'freedom from want' and 'freedom from fear' to address the continent's pervasive suffering and instability.

• Human security is a dynamic and fluid concept that places the individual human being at the center, viewing humanity as the primary beneficiary. It extends beyond the absence of violent conflict to include human rights, good governance, health care, education, and the opportunity for individuals to reach their potential.
• In Africa, human security is described as a scarce commodity characterized by perpetual suffering. The continent is noted for having a majority of the world's least developed and heavily indebted countries (HIPCs), alongside persistent armed conflicts such as the Darfur crisis.
• The briefing identifies a wide array of systemic issues in Africa that necessitate human security, including undemocratic governments, coups d'état, corruption, money laundering, human trafficking, HIV/AIDS, genocide, and the presence of blood/conflict diamonds.
• According to the African Non-Aggression and Common Defence Pact, human security is defined as the security of the individual regarding the satisfaction of basic needs. This includes establishing the social, economic, political, military, environmental, and cultural conditions required for an individual's survival, dignity, and livelihood.
• The foundation of human security rests on the twin goals of 'freedom from want' and 'freedom from fear'. To address these, the UN Secretariat, World Bank, OECD, and IMF established the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) to improve living standards in the developing world, including Africa, by targeting extreme poverty, hunger, child mortality, and disease.
• Human security is interdependent with human development and human rights. While human development focuses on removing hindrances to human life and human rights are entitlements, human security specifically concerns the reduction and removal of insecurities that plague lives.
• Human security complements but differs from state security. State security focuses on the integrity and robustness of the state, often competing for the same resources as human security. Human security shifts the focus to the individual and community, expands the range of actors beyond the state, and emphasizes empowering people to fend for themselves.

APA

Gumedze, S. (2007). Meaning of Human Security Revisited. Institute for Security Studies. https://issafrica.org/topics/corruption-and-governance/29-jun-2007-iss-today-meaning-of-human-security-revisited

Chicago

Gumedze, Sabelo. Meaning of Human Security Revisited. Institute for Security Studies, 2007. https://issafrica.org/topics/corruption-and-governance/29-jun-2007-iss-today-meaning-of-human-security-revisited.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Gumedze |first1=Sabelo |title=Meaning of Human Security Revisited |publisher=Institute for Security Studies |date=29 June 2007 |url=https://issafrica.org/topics/corruption-and-governance/29-jun-2007-iss-today-meaning-of-human-security-revisited |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{gumedze2007meaning, author = {Gumedze, Sabelo}, title = {{Meaning of Human Security Revisited}}, institution = {Institute for Security Studies}, year = {2007}, month = jun, url = {https://issafrica.org/topics/corruption-and-governance/29-jun-2007-iss-today-meaning-of-human-security-revisited}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }