The Mau Mau emergency as part of the British Army's post-war counter-insurgency experience

Bennett, Huw 2007. The Mau Mau emergency as part of the British Army's post-war counter-insurgency experience. Defense & Security Analysis 23 (2) , pp. 143-163. 10.1080/14751790701424705

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Abstract

The four key components of British Army counter insurgency (COIN) doctrine such as legal context, the related concept of minimum force, command and control dimensions and lastly, the winning of popular support known as "hearts and minds" in the context of its operation in Kenya from 1952 to 1960, has been subjected for analyzation. First, the extent of the powers awarded to the government under emergency regulations compromised the law's integrity although operations were worked out within a legal framework originated from the common law tradition. Second, the related minimum force concept for British Army was essential and widely understood. However, in Kenya, policies contradicted the concept where the minimum force do not prevail this is because the concept was more arbitrary and subjectively interpreted than normally allowed for. Third, still Kenya, the close relationship with the civil power encouraged indiscriminate violence rather than restraining the military. The civil authorities failed to rein in the security forces and the justice system was compromised. The atrocities conducted by non-Army forces should be seen as part of the overall campaign which played a critical function in its outcome. Lastly, a combination of increasing military success and violent coercion are forcing the population to support the government rather than by winning hearts and minds.

Item Type:	Article
Status:	Published
Schools:	Department of Politics and International Relations (POLIR)
Subjects:	J Political Science > JA Political science (General) J Political Science > JZ International relations
Uncontrolled Keywords:	civil-military relationship; legislation; military government; political violence; post-war
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
ISSN:	1475-1798
Last Modified:	19 Jan 2024 02:06
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/90150

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