Africa is entrenched in civil, internal and external struggle which makes it increasingly difficult for the world economy to assist it. With political unrest, countries in Africa are equally facing community and global difficulties which hinder all prospects of development. Major factors have influenced the development of Africa and have inevitably made it extremely difficult to pursue a solution–improvements have yet to be executed in Africa. Factors such as economic, social and political hardships have endangered the possibility of independent nation-states in Africa. In order to fully understand the effect of these factors, it is important to investigate the constraints that Africans face. Consequently, due to these factors, Africa is not able to develop and will not be able to unless these strifes have been eradicated.

One of the most important factors that have affected Africa on a global scale are the internal and external social influences. Africa’s social structure has undergone rapid changes from the time of its independence which resulted in social interactions governed by localities rather than governments. The systems of power and influence are directed by chief feudal systems in which, after colonization, have pressured chiefs to develop different social systems to integrate new democratic reforms. With many conflicting ideologies, social pressures ensued beyond the continent’s independence. These particular alien democratic reforms encountered feudal chief systems in a negative way which has led to massive human rights violations, inequality and injustices. Among the most major social disturbance to have occurred in Africa was the Rwanda genocide. This genocide epitomized the level of indecency towards Africans by militant groups that run rampant in the continent. This episode in Africa’s history marked the deaths of five hundred thousand Tutsis and Hutus.[1] These human rights violations are poignant throughout the continent and have currently become difficult to bypass for developmental purposes. These internal conflicts have resulted in an unstable cooperation with government officials and have hindered progress for development. In 2002, the New York Times reported that “rebels and bandits roam freely through vast swaths of the country making roads impassable.”[2] Transportation is one of the most fundamental components for a developing continent or country to utilize; if the roads are impassable, due to rebellion and social unrest, economic and industrial growth would not be sustainable. For example, the conflict in Darfur has torn Sudan internally through conflicts in which conflicting ideologies translated to the deaths of 350,000 people.[3] These conflicts have induced a level of self-destructive behaviour that has plagued any sustainable effort to launch development programs. Beyond the issue of human rights violations, Africa’s social systems are marred by disease and rampant poverty. It was estimated that 24.5 million people were diagnosed and being treated with HIV near the end of 2005 and almost 2.7 million additional people were diagnosed HIV during that same year.[4] HIV/AIDS function as a social influence that negates any possible developmental strategy. In 2002, The New York Times reported that “The World Food Program struggles to feed nearly a million people and everyday, about 500 children die from malnutrition, disease and exploding land mines.”[5] Social strife such as malnutrition is a common factor suspending the continent into repeated cycles of chaos. Furthermore, the lack of sanitation is doubling the effect of extreme poverty in Africa. In 1992, the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development stressed that: “Too often, Africa has been associated only with pictures of civil unrest, starvation, deadly diseases and economic disorder, and that has given many investors a negative picture of Africa as a whole.”[6] Essentially, UNCTAD asserted that social unrest in Africa is achieving global attention which is preventing investors to take particular action to produce long-term economic development strategies in the continent. In this way, the media creates an adverse affect by alienating particular social and civil unrest such as particular diseases (malaria, HIV, AIDS) rather than damaged infrastructure due to colonization. In 2002, Times magazine reported that “The poor die in hospital wards that lack drugs, in villages that lack antimalarial bed nets, in houses that lack safe drinking water. They die namelessly, without public comment. Sadly, such stories rarely get written.”[7] With more public emphasis towards these basic needs such as drinking water, beds, and drugs, media could effectively assist in the allocation of information towards these goals; however, that is not the case since drug corporations are strained in their supply as well as foreign aid. This directly affects the belief that Africa can develop. The continent is met with severe social issues that prevent any possible developmental strategy because of human rights violations, inequality, exploitation, famine, and disease. Social systems of governance are also a major factor facing the belief in a potential social stability. Africa must encounter the heart of these issues in order to develop because social systems and behaviours are the platform at which a country can fully develop with.

Beyond the issues of social unrest that plagues the continent, economic factors have doubled the complexity of restructuring Africa’s global influence in the world market. With economic instability, allocating Africa’s resources towards a systemic capital producing industry is a challenge for investors. As noted earlier, investors are warded off by images of social unrest that pressures Africa’s relationship with the global economy. Rostow noted that “[A factor] which makes business reluctant to invest in Africa is political instability.”[8] Through political stability, states Rostow, the economic system follows jointly in accordance to those principles that govern systemic behaviour. Political stability is a critical component for a developing country to thrive from many potential economic strategies. Mbiti asserted that “Most African countries still lack the necessary physical infrastructure and the education and training in skills needed for rapid economic and social development.”[9] Africa does not have the necessary tools which would allow it to build infrastructure whose purpose would be to emphasize economic progress. Since these basic institutional needs are lacking in the continent, the devastating effect can be seen through chaotic disorder which makes investors highly reluctant to invest in a future for Africa. In 1999, the Economic Report on Africa stated that “most of the countries of the continent lack the fundamentals for sustained future growth.”[10] Similarly, Nyerere’s speech in 1998 critiqued Africa stating that “[due to] the corruptive and disruptive nature of poverty itself, foreign investors would not be coming rushing to Africa.”[11] It is with this similar resolve in conclusion that Africa’s economic sustainability may not be met due to issues of social and political unrest. Consequently, due to the high volume of HIV/AIDS victims, economic conditions heath-wise are challenging for investors. Investors with international influence have limited capabilities when challenged by disease, famine, and agricultural setbacks. Investors are pressured by the lack of certain productive value in the continent since major agricultural and productive systems are met with civil chaos and rampant diseases. Common sense would have it that an organization would be very fearful of economic prospects in a war-torn continent. Investors are not able to effectively create an economic strategy based on present conditions in Africa. In order to effectively maintain an economic system in Africa, economic strategies such as production, distribution and consumption must be met to facilitate growing influence in the global market. Beyond the issue of investor uncertainty arises Africa’s untapped economic wealth. Due to historical influences, Africa’s mineral reserves are constantly undergoing disputes. For example, Congo is a country that is marred by conflict even though it is intensely wealthy due to mineral resources. With further colonial imperialism straining the continent’s resources, Africa’s long historical struggle for independence was not fully reached since its resources are being allocated to other countries. Africa has an enormous supply of petroleum resource, especially in the southern countries. Colonial dispute exists even today and pressures tribal systems in a devastating way. Africa’s manufactured goods and services are exported to other countries to facilitate their economy rather than developing Africa’s economy. Additionally, the common need for international banks is evident in that local banks became corrupt and began to finance particular interests rather than saving. This inadvertently destabilized the influence of local powers (chief feudal systems) towards a concentrated governmental system. Another economic barrier in the continent of Africa is debt. Of the 40 countries on the World Bank’s list of “Heavily Indebted Poor Countries,” 33 of those countries originate from Africa. Africa is engraved in massive amounts of debt due to misuse of money by corrupt governments. For example, in 2001, Reuters reported that “Nigeria, one of the world’s poorest countries, is to launch its own space program in the form of an agency that will develop rocket and satellite technology.”[12] The contradiction is inherently simple in that, while Nigeria is one of the poorest countries in the world, listed as one of the top indebted countries by the World Bank’s HIPC, money that should be allocated towards developmental strategies are compulsively mismanaged. Today, the money that Africa uses to relieve debt is not directly being paid towards the debt left by corrupt governments, rather, the money is being transferred to relieve interest which has slowly began to double the continent’s debt. Between 1980 and 1990, Africa’s debt grew faster than any other region in the Third World. By 1990, 27 African countries were classified as heavily indebted, meaning that three of four key ratios were above critical levels: debt to GDP was above the critical level of 30-50 percent.[13] In the period 1978-83, Africa’s debt ratio (outstanding debt over export earnings) doubled to over 200 percent. For some individual countries, the debt ratios at the end of 1985 skyrocketed.[14] Therefore, in order for Africa to develop a developmental strategy, the continent must: 1) intrigue investors by enhancing media image, 2) deliver promising results by increasing education and basic institutional foundations that reinforce systemic behaviour so investors are able to predict and sustain their business, 3) develop strategies so Africa can use its own resources to further its economy rather than undergoing ongoing disputes, and 4) either relinquish debt by debt relief strategies or develop a comprehensive programs to properly manage funds in order to make payment strategies. Until these economic barriers are confronted and nullified, Africa will remain a Third World continent.

Beyond the social and economic factors that hinder Africa’s potential to develop into a global influence comes the most powerful disturbance in the continent—political instability. Post-colonial periods in Africa were marked by tribal systems and confronting the integration into newer democratic reforms met with major challenges. Patekile Holomisa, a chief and head of the Congress of Traditional Leaders in South Africa states that “Africans want change because there is so much suffering here. But Africans are above all else devoted to their ancestors, and they do not want to betray that by becoming something that they are not.”[15] Due to this devotion, political systems become very difficult to decipher as they are rooted in tradition and customary ritual practice. During the time of its independence, the continent was anxious to find a stable system to govern itself with. Ayittey, a world-renown economist stated that “Socialism, however, was by far the most predominant ideology adopted by African nationalist leaders.”[16] The hegemonic role in economic development envisaged for Africa was driven by socialism since many African nationalist leaders were suspicious of Capitalism. Nonetheless, a wave of socialism swept across the continent as almost all the new African leaders succumbed to the contagious ideology. Nrkrumah of Ghana, widely regarded as the “father of African Socialism,” stated that “Capitalism is too complicated for a newly independent state; hence, the need for a socialist society.”[17] The result was no aspect of this economic ideology was in consonance with Africa’s own indigenous economic heritage. Following Socialism, a new ideological doctrine called Statism which is the reliance on government action towards economy and the arrangement of social affairs. Tanzania’s Julius Nyerere stated clearly that it was the role of the state to intervene actively in the economy[18]; however, the ultimate responsibility for the adoption of Statism rested with African leaders. Providing convenient alibis for misguided economic policies only served to compound Africa’s economic woes. These ideologies created a corrosive element to the well-being of Africa’s political instability—corruption. Back in 1990, Chief Olu Falae, secretary of the federal government of Nigeria, announced after a debt verification exercise that “over 30 billion naira (or $4.5 billion) of Nigeria’s external debt was discovered to be ‘fraudulent and spurious’.”[19] In 1999, the EU announced that it had suspended aid to Ivory Coast after discovering that about $30 million donated for health programs had apparently been misused.[20] Julius Nyerere, former president of Tanzania stated that “[corruption] is a cancer in Africa.”[21] Furthermore, BBC reported that “Corruption in Africa is costing the continent nearly $150bn a year, according to a new report.”[22] Corruption has severely indebted the continent to dreadful ends with very little anticipation of devastating results. African leaders have mangled generations with insurmountable debt through major political instabilities such as failed government strategies. In order for Africa to sustain a complete developmental strategy, Africa must maintain a government system that would emphasize democratic reforms rather than personal interest which would lead to corrosive behaviour such as corruption and mass debt.

In order for Africa to become a sustainable environment for investors to seek business, Africa must achieve political and internal stability. US Ambassador Thomas R. Pickering declared at the United Nations, “Reforms to improve governance are essential, both for sustainable economic growth and political stability.”[23] Through political stability, institutions of systemic behaviour reproduction such as churches, schools, and centers of achievements and learning would develop and then reinforce an economically stable and ready atmosphere for banks, industrial complexes, and business franchise will flourish. However, today, much like in the previous decade, Africa is not ready for development—it does not have the necessary foundations for development to take place. Africa is marred by social unrest through rampant disease, human rights violations, inequality, and exploitation. Furthermore, Africa’s chances of global economic representation meet with heavy debt, mineral disputes and resource conflict, as well as sustainability of the business’s franchise. In addition, political factors such as gross misconduct of expenses and aid leading to perpetual corruption destroys any chance of Africa’s every chance of development. Due to these poignant barriers, Africa is not able to develop.

Bibliography

Ayittey George B.N.. Africa Unchained. New York: Palgrave MacMillian, 2005.

Bayar, J-F. The State in Africa: The Politics of the Belly. London: Longman, 1993.

Des Forges, Alison. Leave None to Tell the Story: Genocide in Rwanda. Switzerland: Human Rights Watch, 1999.

Economic Report on Africa, “Economic Report on Africa 1999: The Challenge of Poverty and Sustainability,” ERA, http://www.uneca.org

Elliot P. Skinner, “African Political Cultures and the Problems of Government,” African Studies Quarterly, http://web.africa.ufl.edu/asq/v2/v2i3a3.htm

Elizabeth Blunt, “Corruption ‘costs Africa billions’,” British Broadcasting Corporations, http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/2265387.stm

Gluckman, Max. Custom and Conflict in Africa. Oxford: Basil Blackwell, 1959.

Julius K. Nyerere. Freedom and Unity: A Selection from Writings and Speeches. Dar-es-Salaam: Oxford University Press, 1966.

Mbiti, John S.. African Religions and Philosophies. New York: Doubleday and Co, 1970.

Nkrumah, Kwame. Ghana: An Autobiography. London: Nelson, 1957.

PanAfrican News, “Nyerere and his Presentation,” sec. B4, Jun 4, 1998.

Rostow, W.W.. The Stages of Economic Growth. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1960.

Reuters, “Nigera to Plan Satellite and Rocket Technology,” sec. B4, Jul 5, 2001.

The New York Times, “World Food Program Aid,” sec. S2, Dec 24, 2002. _________________, “Malnutrition and African Culture” sec. A4, Apr 20, 2000.

The Washington Post, “Africa’s societal history,” sec. A5, Dec 18, 2000.

Times Magazine, “Africa and Her Issues,” Feb 3, 2003, 25.

United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, United Nations, Foreign Direct Investment in Africa. Geneva, 1995.

West Africa, “Nigeria Debt Analysis” sec. A4, Sept 25, 1990.

[1] Alison Des Forges, Leave None to Tell the Story: Genocide in Rwanda, (Switzerland,: Human Rights Watch, 1999), 34.

[2] The New York Times, “World Food Program Aid,” sec. S2, Dec 24, 2002.

[3] J-F Bayar, The State in Africa: The Politics of the Belly (London: Longman, 1993), 45.

[4] Max Gluckman, Custom and Conflict in Africa (Oxford: Basil Blackwell, 1959), 44.

[5] The New York Times, “Malnutrition and African Culture” sec. A4, Apr 20, 2000.

[6] United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, United Nations, Foreign Direct Investment in Africa, Geneva, 1995, 3

[7] Times Magazine, “Africa and Her Issues,” Feb 3, 2003, 25.

[8]W.W. Rostow, The Stages of Economic Growth (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1960), 53.

[9]John S. Mbiti, African Religions and Philosophies (New York: Doubleday and Co, 1970), 48.

[10]Economic Report on Africa, “Economic Report on Africa 1999: The Challenge of Poverty and Sustainability,” ERA, http://www.uneca.org (12 March 2007).

[11] PanAfrican News, “Nyerere and his Presentation,” sec. B4, Jun 4, 1998.

[12] Reuters, “Nigera to Plan Satellite and Rocket Technology,” sec. B4, Jul 5, 2001.

[13] George B.N. Ayittey, Africa Unchained (New York: Palgrave MacMillian, 2005), 155.

[14] Ibid.

[15] The Washington Post, “Africa’s societal history,” sec. A5, Dec 18, 2000.

[16] George B.N. Ayittey, Africa Unchained (New York: Palgrave MacMillian, 2005), 61.

[17] Kwame Nkrumah, Ghana: An Autobiography (London: Nelson, 1957), 25.

[18] Julius K. Nyerere. Freedom and Unity: A Selection from Writings and Speeches (Dar-es-Salaam: Oxford University Press, 1966), 1965-1967.

[19] West Africa, “Nigeria Debt Analysis” sec. A4, Sept 25, 1990.

[20] George B.N. Ayittey, Africa Unchained (New York: Palgrave MacMillian, 2005), 169.

[21] Julius K. Nyerere. Freedom and Unity: A Selection from Writings and Speeches, 1965-1967.

[22]Elizabeth Blunt, “Corruption ‘costs Africa billions’,” British Broadcasting Corporations, http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/2265387.stm (12 March 2007).

[23] Elliot P. Skinner, “African Political Cultures and the Problems of Government,” African Studies Quarterly, http://web.africa.ufl.edu/asq/v2/v2i3a3.htm (12 March 2007).

Cool Related Links:

• Emerging Capital Partners Closes Africa Fund III at US$613 Million
• Africa can get out of poverty- Gordon Brown‎-Daily Monitor | Le Portail d..
• PROS AND CONS OF PASTORALISM IN AFRICA | Diabetes Care Tips Info
• Zimbabwe’s low productivity cause for concern | Zimbabwe Telegraph
• Nation-Building in Africa: Lessons from Liberia | African Herald ..
• Sub Saharan Africa and the UN Milenium Development Goals | NigerianMuse
• African policy makers to convene on improving civil status information and ..
• Has foreign aid ‘saved’ Africa? – Akanyang Africa
• African Studies Give Women Hope in H.I.V. Fight « Grow in Africa
• AFRICA/UGANDA – Combating terrorism, the situation in Somalia and Sud..
• Brown: Africa key to global growth | Left Foot Forward
• AFRICA: CONTINUING COVERAGE ON ARICAN UNION SUMMIT « UNFPA in the New..
• Media Review for July 27, 2010 | Africa Center for Strategic Studies