In part, African warlord and militia structures are located in the rural warrior tradition. Militias are often comprised of young men who come from rural, impoverished areas. Gallo Images/Reuters/Shabelle MEDIA Whatever their goals, militias and warlords interact and coalesce to exploit opportunities within a particular time frame – but this behaviour and formation is located within prevailing traditional notions. 3 Through the use of militias, warlords are linked to – and beneficiaries of – criminal activities that exploit and enslave rural-based civilians to extract natural and mineral resources. Often their motivations are ideological, in seeking to bring about changes in their social and political recognition, while others seek economic (re)distribution or wealth accumulation, and many more have territorial interests that do not include the well-being of populations or contribute to political stability. 2 Warlords question the legitimacy and defensive abilities of the existing government, yet their objectives and goals are diverse. While some warlords are not necessarily interested in usurping national political leadership through the use of militias, they challenge, obstruct and undermine institutional structures to suit their interests. In reality, militias form part of the normative political landscape in Africa, as well as in Eastern Europe, central Asia and Latin America. There is general sense that warlords, militias and armed non-state actors do not form part of the political environment and that the government alone possesses the legitimate use of violence. Warlords and their accompanying militias have become a normalised, if not macabre, part of the African sociopolitical landscape. We need to be profoundly aware of all the horrendous violence that is habitually obscured, encouraged and legitimised when we demonise particular groups of rebels.
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