Causes of Conflict in Africa Flashcards
What are the causes of conflicts in Africa?
Conflicts in Africa stem from factors like arbitrary colonial borders, ethnic diversity, inept political leadership, external debt burdens, poverty, and corruption.
How did colonial borders contribute to conflicts in Africa?
Colonial powers drew borders without considering cultural or tribal connections, leading to ethnic tensions, unequal resource distribution, trade disruptions, weak states, and lasting divisions.
How does the heterogeneous ethnic composition contribute to conflicts?
Diverse ethnic groups coexisting within nations may compete for resources, power struggles can arise, historical grievances can resurface, and political elites may manipulate differences, intensifying conflicts.
What role does inadequate political leadership play in conflicts?
Incompetent leaders contribute to conflicts through corruption, ethnic manipulation, human rights abuses, weak institutions, election irregularities, economic mismanagement, and regional instability.
How does external debt impact conflicts in Africa?
External debt can lead to economic instability, corruption, dependence on creditors, currency depreciation, inter-ethnic tensions, austerity measures, civil unrest, and a lack of conflict resolution mechanisms.
How does poverty contribute to conflicts in Africa?
Poverty How does poverty contribute to conflicts in Africa? Poverty exacerbates resource scarcity, economic inequality, lack of opportunities, food insecurity, lack of state capacity, refugee crises, and tensions, leading to conflicts.
How does corruption worsen conflicts in Africa?
Corruption heightens distrust, inequality, and discontent, contributing to conflicts. Examples include Nigeria’s Niger Delta conflict, South Sudan’s internal conflict, DRC’s armed factions, Zimbabwe’s crisis, Angola’s civil war, and Somalia’s fragility.
What can be done to overcome conflicts in Africa?
Strategies include constitutional reforms, power-sharing, peace-building initiatives, addressing economic disparities, fostering national cohesion, fair resource allocation, reconciliation, and international efforts.
