The Salience Of Ethnic Politics In Africa.

By Joshua Spencer.

Ethnicity in Africa has been called the “resilient paradigm.” What accounts for the ongoing salience of ethnic politics in Africa? Can it be accounted for using received explanations of its significance? How can ethnicity be linked to discussions of other social movements in civil society?

It is highly inconceivable that any learned individual, group or institution would deny the fact that ethnicity and tribal attachments or ethnic proclivities bear tremendous salience to every form of human existence throughout the length and breadth of this planet, including Africa. The central discussions of this paper will aim to make explicit the fundamental, underlying reasons that ethnicity offers such a significant impact and role in Africa’s political systems. It will, in general, argue against the traditional rhetoric, being verbiaged by the West for its crucial and inevitable role and significance in Africa’s politics. Finally, the interconnectedness with ethnicity and social movement in civil society will be illustrated in this essay.

The permanent and eternal significance of ethnic politics in Africa has several explanations. Firstly, the complexities of relations and moral dimensions in Africa are rooted in, and emanated from, culture and ethnicity. The reality and history of material deprivation have forced peoples who share much in common to isolate themselves in strata or groups with a view to consolidate the not-too-accessible skills and resources they possess. This in effect leads to conflict with outgroups and to the creation and facilitation of tribal factions. Secondly, and closely related to the first explanation, ethnicity and ethnocultural diversity are utilized as a springboard for the ruling class to attain their political ambitions. The oligarchy exploits the notion of ethnicity to retain political power and the status quo. This is effected by leaders of dominant ethnic groups exploiting their members’ lineage of their kinds, for their own selfish interests. In this stead, ethnicity is essential for political advancement of the few, to the domination and deprivation of the many. Put another way, ethnicity is significant in the political arena as it serves as an accessible vehicle for the rich and the powerful to cling to the elm of political manipulation, overpowering the masses of depressed African peoples!

(Please purchase the book, "Let's Talk Africa and More" to complete the reading of this article and others. ISBN: 1-4241-6048-0 Author: Joshua Spencer)