Description
A number of studies on the global politics of cyberspace have examined efforts of several State and non-State actors, yet, only a few try to reflect the position of African States on what securing the cyberspace should look like. Assessment of the limited literature rather buttressed the limitations faced by African countries in having their views expressed in international forums. This scenario is further complicated by the differing capabilities and interest of African countries in cybersecurity, that may result in hindering them from taking a firm position on matters pertaining securing cyberspace. Amidst these, cyber capable actors such as the US, the United Kingdom (UK) European Union (EU), and China are heavily investing in cyber capacity building initiatives in Africa. Postcolonial approach International Relations seeks to analyse issues from the perspectives of those who lack ‘power’ and emphases the criticality of representation and perception in determining what comes to be seen as standard or acceptable. Using the postcolonial theoretical tools and adopting a qualitative methodological approach, this research seeks to explore the likely outcomes of these cyber capacity building projects in Africa especially considering how these African states vote on issues bordering around securing the cyberspace, the opinions expressed and how they swing between the preferences of China and its allies on the one hand and western democracies on the other hand.
