Paper short abstract:

This paper examines what type of security narrative is prioritised by the EU in its security engagement in Africa. The paper will critique the human security narrative, especially the gender dimensions of insecurity, by examining the implementation processes of the EU Mission in Somalia.

Paper long abstract:

The human security paradigm epitomises the widening of threats and who is threatened, to encompass individuals by emphasising a human rights dimension to security. Human security treats the security landscape as neutral making no distinction between impact of insecurities on men and women. Mary Kaldor has referred to human security as the 'strategic narrative' of the EU's security paradigm, a claim that is accepted by the EU as outlined in the 2008 Review of the Implementation of the European Security Strategy (ESS). Yet, in recent years, the EU has also sought to highlight the importance of gender and security through its commitment to implement the United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1325. UNSCR 1325 emphasises the differentiated impact of conflict on women, and their importance to conflict resolution. How then does the EU reconcile its inherent human security narrative with its commitment to gender and security? Although seemingly compatible, human security and a security agenda that emphasizes the importance of gender potentially constitute competing security priorities.

The effectiveness of EU responses to insecurity requires the in-depth analysis of the EU's security practice. By taking a gender perspective to the six principles of human security established by Kaldor as necessary conditions for truly achieving human security, the proposed paper will examine recent EU engagement in Africa. In particular, the essay will evaluate the processes of EU Training Mission in Somalia (EUTM Somalia), with the aim of drawing out lessons for future missions.