Population Growth and Resource Competition in Africa, 2017-2035: A Military Approach for The United States

Abstract

The United Nations projects an increase in Africa's population from 1.186 billion in 2015 to 1.865 billion by the year 2035. This 57% projected population increase will significantly impact the security situation in Africa. Within the continent, a population increase of this magnitude will almost certainly result in increased competition for resources, ethno-religious conflicts, migrations related to economic and other factors, and challenges to governance. These phenomena, taken in combination with terrorism and external influence, will result in increased armed conflict throughout Africa. A recommended strategy for the United States is the establishment of a relatively small number of partner nations that are demographically, economically, and politically stable, and which possess stable security situations. More importantly, each of these nations allows the United States access to key resources and facilities; And the United States is militarily prepared to be able operate in and around these nations to secure its own interests.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
May 01, 2017
Accession Number
AD1178917

Entities

People

  • Matthew S. Downs

Organizations

  • Marine Corps University

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Africa
  • Civil War
  • Climate Change
  • Counterterrorism
  • Department Of State
  • East Africa
  • Geography
  • National Governments
  • National Security
  • Natural Resources
  • Saharan Africa
  • Supply Chain
  • Terrorism
  • United States
  • United States Africa Command
  • United States European Command
  • Violence
  • Warfare

Readers

  • East Asian Political and Security Studies within the Soviet Union
  • Political Violence and Terrorism Studies.