Autonomous weapons systems in Africa : emerging realities, prospects, and risks

Abstract

There are inadequate African perspectives on the development, adoption, testing, deployment, and utilization of (lethal) autonomous weapons systems (L/AWS) by African countries or foreign military powers on the continent. Accordingly, this article explores the emerging trend of AWS in Africa, its potential military and strategic benefits, and the risks for the continent. Using content analysis of publicly available data and structural phenomenological analysis of formal and informal engagements with some stakeholders, the article examines the emerging realities of AWS in Africa, including local production, capacity building, foreign procurement, testing, deployment, and operations of weapons with autonomous features. L/AWS has the potential to boost intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities, precision, and effectiveness of coercive operations, and minimize military casualties and operational cost of troubled African countries. Nevertheless, the risks posed to human rights, democracy, national security and sovereignty, and regional stability by AWS adoption and deployment in Africa cannot be ignored. Hence, this article advocates for a cost-benefit approach to AWS adoption and deployment in Africa.