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Ten
troubles with Africa: The role of cultural diplomacy
Chidiogo
Akunyili, Cultural Diplomacy News
July 31, 2008
http://www.culturaldiplomacynews.org/index.php?id=29,618,0,0,1,0
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The African continent
has a population of over 920 million and covers no less than one-fifth
of the world-s total land area. These figures make it the
second largest and second most populous continent. The area also
has an abundance of human and natural resources, with comparatively
high levels of oil, gold and diamonds all providing valuable trading
commodities. Such statistics suggest an area of considerable potential
and a solid foundation for development. In the span of the five
decades since 1960 when the majority of Africa moved from being
a continent of colonies to one of independent states, Africa-s
potential, however, remains unfulfilled. During this time the continent
has instead become the poster child of corruption, poverty, disease,
violent conflict and failed states. How could countries so rich
in human and natural resources have spiralled so much out of control?
Colonial
legacy
Africa today is confronted by a range of diverse and grave problems
that must be addressed as a priority in order for the continent
to move forward. There are a variety of different reasons for the
state of disrepair in many African countries; the behavior of the
colonial powers is often cited as one. There is no country or people
in Africa whose histories were not affected by the continents affiliation
with Europe—a legacy whose effects are still felt today. The
artificial boundaries created in the "Scramble for Africa"
left in its stead a legacy of clashes as different ethnic groups
were divided and re-grouped together, with little consideration
for the consequences, into countries towards which they felt little,
if any, affinity. The boundaries cut through over 150 ethnic "cultural
areas", dividing pre-existing economic and social units and
distorting the development of entire regions. This led to the marginalization
of some ethnic groups, tribalism, and in the notable case of Rwanda,
genocide. As John Reader elaborates in "Africa: A Biography
of the Continent" "were it not for the importunities
of Europe, Africa might have enlarged upon its indigenous talents
and found an independent route to the present—one that was
inspired by resolutions from within rather than examples from without".
In addition, the existing social and economic development plans
were founded upon the assumption that colonialism would be capable
of being sustained. With the collapse of colonial rule, many states
were consequently left with governments poorly equipped to handle
complex economies and compete in the world market.
History cannot be eradicated,
and the mistakes of colonialism cannot be undone. What matters now
is how the continent deals with its problems today. While it is
important to identify problems with the continent, it is even more
important to identify solutions.
Conflict
Instances of conflict abound over the years throughout Africa. As
kinship, ethnic and economic links remained stronger than the obligations
of national identity, a newly-independent Africa went through phases
of ethnic clashes, coups and military rule. The dreams of Africa
flourishing into a continent of peaceful democratic states quickly
disintegrated as more than seventy coups occurred in the first thirty
years of independence. By the 1990s, very few states conserved even
the barest traces of democracy.
Take the example of the
ongoing war in Darfur in the western region of Sudan. Sudan, the
largest country in Africa, has a long history of civil war stemming
from racial and cultural inequality between the Arab Muslim majority
in the country-s northern region, and the non-Arab Christian
majority in the southern region. Since 2003, Sudan has been besieged
by severe conflict, as the Western Sudanese militia known as the
Janjaweed have committed what according to the United States Government
is systematic "genocide"—the worst humanitarian
crisis of the 21st century—against black Africans in Darfur.
According to various estimates, as many as 400,000 have been killed
and over 2.5 million have been displaced during the last five years.
This has earned Sudan the dubious honour of being the world-s
second most unstable country in the Foreign Policy-s Failed
State Index. Sudan-s President, Omar Hasan Ahmad al-Bashir,
is presently being accused by the International Criminal Court of
crimes against humanity.
Zimbabwe follows very
closely behind Sudan, holding the third spot in the Failed State
Index as it regresses daily in the hands of President Robert Mugabe-s
present regime. Zimbabwe is not only witnessing the worst economic
deterioration in history, with hyperinflation rates reaching over
10,000% in recent months. (As of 25 July 2008, it takes 29 billion
Zimbabwe Dollars to equal the value of a euro.) It is also in the
throes of both political and social conflict as Mugabe clings to
power despite a heavily disputed and discredited election and continues
to carry out, according to Human Rights Watch, government-sponsored
violence against opposition groups.
Peace negotiations and
agreements, like the case of Côte d'Ivoire-s response
to 2002 violence regarding the north-south divide, would go a long
way in countering conflict both along ethnic, religious and political
lines all over the continent. A new era of majority rule would also
ensure that Africa-s diverse ethnicities are represented in
their nation-s governments.
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