Africa’s Conflict Zones, 2006, retrieved from http://www.cfr.org/world/africas-conflict-zones/p14543
When I think of Africa I unfortunately think about the negative aspects we see on the news which is one of a continent full of conflict. A continent with leaders that have a focus more about self-profit than how it can help its people or create a prosperous situation for the masses. Numerous civil wars have played out or are ongoing in various regions of the country due to cultural conflicts like the one in Sudan that led to the independence of South Sudan.
Poverty also plays in to the conflicts as Africa is home to, “Thirty-three of the 48 United Nations’ least developed countries” (PSU Lesson 14). The scarce resources and how they are utilized is where the points of contention lie as you have factions of groups within the country that have differing thoughts on how resources should be utilized for economic prosperity. Add in the sense of greed that plays into the conflicts and you have cases where individuals cease control of a country through military coups like Omar al-Bashir in the Sudan. He originally took control of the country in the 70’s and then managed to remain President of the country through what has been viewed as corrupt elections.
In light of these challenges there are still corporations that believe Africa has untapped resources that they can benefit from. One of the countries that invest in Africa is China as it views Africa as a, “lower cost supplier of resources in the areas of mining for minerals, such as copper and cobalt, which are used in many modern electronics; oil, such as in places like Nigeria and Sudan; and timber in the Congo” (PSU Lesson 14). Until Africa becomes unified and breaks the cycles that have plagued the continent you will continue to see the pattern repeat itself.
Pennsylvania State World Campus. (2017). Lesson 14: Africa. Retrieved April 22, 2017, https://psu.instructure.com/courses/1826457/modules/items/21654194
Hi Antonio,
You noted that Africa has scare resources, however, in this weeks lesson it was mentioned that Africa does in fact have an abundance of resources but that many are untapped. PSU WC, 2017 L. 14 notes, “…there are vast amounts of untapped natural and human resources (Moran, Harris, & Moran, 2011)”.
The problem is more likely African governments inability to determine how to best utilize these resources to better their nation. It seems these corrupt leaders are more focused on better themselves, therefore, leaving many untapped resources.