What is the African Security Identity (ASI)? / My argument focuses on the manner in which African international organizations are reducing the cultural gap that exists between the global north’s way of thinking about security and the African way, and the defining effects – both constructive and deconstructive - this has on the ASI. / In the current global context of ideological fluidity, the mix of transnational dynamics and local grievances is decreasing states’ capacity for good security governance and, as the ongoing Malian example demonstrates, this worldwide issue manifests itself in a particularly dire form in Africa. / This is why I will assess the implementation process of international rules - collective security, human security, peacekeeping and peace enforcement - on the African continent. I will respond to related questions: / Is the idea of ASI spreading through the whole continent? / Does the rise of global asymmetric violence impact on the ASI? / Do African states still wall themselves off behind their borders, and If so, why? / This paper is based on my doctoral thesis (May 2011) and a book on regional security complexes and security communities, to be published shortly. This previous work will be completed by a specific investigation on regional security governance.