Soldiers in Revolt: Army Mutinies in Africa

Soldiers in Revolt examines the understudied phenomenon of military mutinies in Africa. Through interviews with former mutineers in Sierra Leone, Burkina Faso, and The Gambia, the book provides a unique and intimate perspective on those who take the risky decision to revolt. This view from the lower ranks is key to comprehending the internal struggles that can threaten a military's ability to function effectively. Maggie Dwyer's detailed accounts of specific revolts are complemented by an original dataset of West African mutinies covering more than fifty years, allowing for the identification of trends.

Her book shows the complex ways mutineers often formulate and interpret their grievances against a backdrop of domestic and global politics. Just as mutineers have been influenced by the political landscape, so too have they shaped it. Mutinies have challenged political and military leaders, spurred social unrest, led to civilian casualties, threatened peacekeeping efforts and, in extreme cases, resulted in international interventions. Soldiers in Revolt offers a better understanding of West African mutinies and mutinies in general, valuable not only for military studies but for anyone interested in the complex dynamics of African states.

Author: Maggie Dwyer
Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA
Published: 02/01/2018
Pages: 256
Binding Type: Paperback
Weight: 0.75lbs
Size: 8.40h x 5.50w x 0.70d
ISBN13: 9780190876074
ISBN10: 0190876077
BISAC Categories:
- Political Science | World | African
- History | Military | Revolutions & Wars of Independence (See Also Unit

About the Author

Maggie Dwyer is a Research Fellow at the Centre of African Studies at the University of Edinburgh. She focuses on politics and security in Africa, with a particular interest in armed forces. Her works draws on extensive field research with militaries and police in West and East Africa.