Many do not understand them and dismiss them as pedantic patronage. But once these problems are addressed, the dark continent will begin to see a renaissance that would be welcomed by the rest of the globe.
First is Feudalism. This problem could be grouped with tribalism, but I hold out hope for the various tribes of africa to move forward once they get away from feudalism.
The feudal period of history is earmarked by tribal wars and skirmishes that consumed many and left distrust and old ways of thought deeply ingrained.
Despotism is not only an issue faced by the citizens of the continent, but by the remainder of the planet. Zealots, despots and would-be tyrannical warlords rule many of the nation-states across Africa, hiding behind their race and their percieved oppression as European colonies.
Thugs like Amin and Mugabe have risen in the past 50 years, backed up by gangs (who are tribes in and of themselves) to help impose their tyrannical rule. The West has ignored this, primarily due to the lack of a threat from these petty thugs (though many have a mistaken perception of this as a racial problem, the problem is purely nationalistic and defense-related).
Due to the influx of Islam into these nation-states, we can ill-afford to ignore these thugs for much longer. The despots and tyrants will gladly give aid and comfort to AQ and other terror elements of the new World War.
Xenophobia, believe it or not, is another problem. The so-called elite of Africa believe that Westerners are 'tainted' by Anglos, and that they are not able to see how to move Africa forward - ignoring the other major problems that I've mentioned, and a myriad of minor issues that are caused by these major ones.
The major problems can be combatted with time; because of the despotism, and their acquiesence to radical Islam, we will eventually be forced to address them, lest the terrorists gain a foothold that will be hard to pry loose.
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