By Frank Kamuntu
Africa’s need for a robust military establishment cannot be overstated. Given the continued wars in many locations, African countries must strengthen their military might, notably the number of recruits. The brave men and women who comprise Africa’s military have played a critical role in preventing the continent from collapsing completely.
A strong military force in Africa is essential for preserving national security, territorial integrity, and regional stability, not just as a symbol of sovereignty.
The military in African countries normally consists of three basic branches: the army, navy, and air force. Other military units vary per country.
The active personnel of any military force are the men and women who go through rigorous training and are ready to protect their country at any time. African countries with substantial active armed forces demonstrate their dedication to maintaining a strong defensive posture and deterring prospective threats.
However, there are reserve personnel who are ready to respond to the call of duty if necessary, as well as the paramilitary, which consists of gendarmerie, border security agencies, and coast guards, all of which supplement the regular military’s efforts to maintain law and order and protect national borders.
Furthermore, a powerful military plays an important role in promoting peacekeeping and regional stability. African states have made major contributions to United States and African Union peacekeeping missions, carrying out complicated operations in war zones such as South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Mali.
Having said that, it’s unclear which African countries have the largest militaries. Global Firepower, a portal that updates military statistics annually, reports that several African countries have strong and capable militaries. Here are the top 10 African militaries based on their size.
| Rank | Country | Total military personnel | Active personnel | Reserves | Paramilitary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Egypt | 1,220,000 | 440,000 | 480,000 | 300,000 |
| 2. | Algeria | 610,000 | 325,000 | 135,000 | 150,000 |
| 3. | Morocco | 395,800 | 195,800 | 150,000 | 50,000 |
| 4. | Nigeria | 280,000 | 230,000 | – | 50,000 |
| 5. | Eritrea | 250,000 | 120,000 | 130,000 | – |
| 6. | Democratic Republic of Congo | 207,580 | 166,580 | 31,000 | 10,000 |
| 7. | Sudan | 194,500 | 92,000 | 85,000 | 17,500 |
| 8. | South Sudan | 185,000 | 185,000 | – | – |
| 9. | Ethiopia | 162,000 | 162,000 | – | – |
| 10. | South Africa | 150,585 | 71,235 | 29,350 | 50,000 |
1 comment
You surely bring S. Sudan and leave out Uganda? You’re not fair