AFRICAN POLITICS

Why Has The Military Been So Influential In African Politics During The Post-Colonial Period?

Why Has The Military Been So Influential In African Politics During The Post-Colonial Period?

Introduction

Are there civil wars in Africa? Yes-currently in the countries of Liberia, Sierra Leone, the Congo, and Angola. These wars have caused tremendous damage and suffering. However, it is important to remember that these countries represent only a small group out of 54 independent countries in Africa. (Webner, 1996)

In trying to understand the causes for political (or economic, or social) problems in Africa, as in North America, Asia, and Europe, it is important not to look for quick and simple answers. The reasons for political violence, authoritarian governments, or corruption in some African countries, are complex and not a reflection of the inability of Africans to govern themselves as some news writers indicate.

Similarly, it is just as important that when we try to understand political crises in Africa we don't use simple explanations. History is one of the keys to understanding politics in post-colonial Africa. The last section in this module dealt with the political legacy of colonialism. The key components of the political legacy of colonialism were:

Colonial states were weak and lacked capacity. With limited capacity, it was very difficult for the first independent governments in Africa to meet the huge social and economic needs of their countries. The inability of governments to meet the legitimate needs of their citizens is a key cause of political dissatisfaction and un-rest.

Colonial states were not democratic and had little respect for human rights. It is difficult, but not impossible, to develop democratic institutions and practices on a "political foundation" that is un-democratic. Moreover, as African leaders faced opposition, partially because of their inability to meet the needs of their citizens, it was easy for them to fall back on the un-democratic examples of the colonial states. Many post-colonial governments resorted to the same undemocratic practices as the colonial states used to control and deal with opposition.

Ethnic conflict is a major political problem in many African countries. Ethnic rivalry over scarce resources and political power to control resources has lead to political conflicts and occasionally to serious violence. Ethnicity and ethnic rivalry are not new developments in Africa, they are often rooted in Colonialism. Remember, the colonial policies of divide and rule and indirect rule? These practices helped to establish ethnic rivalries that have become a common part of politics in post-colonial Africa. (Zachernuk, 2000)

In the post-colonial era there have also been wars involving terrorism in, and Congo-Kinshasa. Africans have been chopping each other's limbs and raping children as a strategy of warfare.  This kind of domestic terrorism is still alive and well in Northern Uganda , Darfur in , and intermittently even in has also experienced spectacular acts of terror. A whole new kind of terrorism is the new international terrorism and the American-led war against it. Africa is becoming a theater of this kind of warfare, but the main actors are not ...