After more than 50 years of independence, many African countries face the destabilizing forces of poverty, hunger, and public health crises, which drive insecurity in the form of ethnic-based conflicts, social radicalism, and violent extremism. The public sector in these countries is largely dependent on foreign aid and international security interventions, while the private sector is too stunted to fill the gap to provide needed services or employment. The Sengalese "Armée-Nation" is a model for civil-military collaboration that integrates civilian leadership with the military, providing broadly construed security and advancing economic and social development—without excessive militarization. Many African civilian leaders and the public are cautious to expand the military beyond its traditional role, a well-founded concern in light of the continent's history. Due to the greater strength of military institutions when compared with African public and private sectors and to the military's coercive capability, a high risk exists of the military dominating the civilian realm, exerting undue influence over domestic politics, or executing military control. Yet with sound safeguards—including a legal framework of rule of law and human rights, and a culture of civilian prominence over the military—these risks largely can be minimized.