Explain how Africa’s colonial legacy has influenced post-independence conflict in the Sub-Saharan region. Use specific details and examples. Your response should be a paragraph in length.

Answer 1

Africa's colonial legacy has profoundly influenced post-independence conflict in the Sub-Saharan region, primarily through the arbitrary borders drawn by colonial powers, the imposition of foreign governance structures, and the exploitation of ethnic divisions. The Berlin Conference of 1884-85 led to the division of African territories with little regard for the existing ethnic, cultural, or political landscapes, resulting in multi-ethnic states that often included rival groups within the same political boundaries. For instance, the borders of Nigeria, created during British colonial rule, encompass over 250 ethnic groups, leading to tensions and the devastating Biafran War (1967-1970) fueled by ethnic and economic grievances. Moreover, colonial administrations favored certain groups over others, which sowed seeds of resentment and competition, as seen in Rwanda, where colonial favoritism towards the Tutsi minority over the Hutu majority laid the groundwork for the 1994 genocide. Finally, the lack of strong institutions during the transition to independence often resulted in weak governance, corruption, and power struggles, as evidenced by the civil wars in countries like Liberia and Sierra Leone, where former factions and grievances exploited the historical colonial fractures. Thus, the colonial legacy continues to reverberate throughout the political and social landscapes of Sub-Saharan Africa, manifesting in ongoing instability and conflict.