African armies have undergone significant changes since African nations won independence from colonial rule. Once mainly small constabulary forces relegated to the maintenance of internal order, these armies have become larger, more modern institutions, largely in response to growing external security threats. Previous analyses have focused on African military units as political actors, with little or no attention paid to their actual abilities and desires to perform defense functions. This study examines the evolution of African armed forces, their impact on the societies in which they operate, and their current capabilities, with special attention to their effectiveness as military institutions.