Misinterpreting Ethnic Conflicts in Africa

http://www.ndu.edu/press/misinterpreting-ethnic-conflics.html ^ | July 2010 | By Clement Mweyang Aapengnuo

[America always]

"There is a general perception that Africa is trapped in a never-ending cycle of ethnic conflict. The Rwandan genocide, Darfur, northern Nigeria, CÔte d'Ivoire, and the violent aftermath of the controversial Kenyan elections, among other cases, seemingly substantiate this perception. As grievances accumulate and are defined at the group rather than individual level, the motivation for reprisals is never ending. The centuries-old inertia behind these animosities, moreover, defies resolution. The seeming implication is that Africa's complicated ethnic diversity leaves the continent perpetually vulnerable to devastating internecine conflict. This, in turn, cripples prospects for sustained economic progress and democratization." (Snip) "In fact, ethnicity is typically not the driving force of African conflicts but a lever used by politicians to mobilize supporters in pursuit of power, wealth, and resources. While the ethnic group is the predominant means of social identity formation in Africa, most ethnic groups coexist peacefully with high degrees of mixing through interethnic marriage, economic partnerships, and shared values. Indeed, if they did not, nearly every village and province in Africa would be a cauldron of conflict." (Snip) "Often it is the politicization of ethnicity and not ethnicity per se that stokes the attitudes of perceived injustice, lack of recognition, and exclusion that are the source of conflict. The misdiagnosis of African conflicts as ethnic ignores the political nature of the issues. People do not kill each other because of ethnic differences; they kill each other when these differences are promoted as the barrier to advancement and opportunity. The susceptibility of some African societies to this manipulation by opportunistic politicians underscores the fragility of the nationbuilding enterprise on the continent."

[America always]

Very interesting article with, I think, parallels outside of Africa to politics here and elsewhere, such as the Middle East.

[hometoroost]

That’s what makes Barack Obama’s identity politics so dangerous.

[BipolarBob]

Forced diversity, forced busing, affirmative action and other racially emphasizing programs only inflame racial discord. Equal opportunity and equal standards is the solution.

[Nat Turner]

Wow, a paper on REAL AFRICAN STUDIES...I’m truly amazed.

[algernonpj]

Thanks for posting