Abstract
Africa is rich in natural resources. Yet, the resource-curse syndrome often diminishes the prospects of the resource blessing that ought to have characterized African societies. Corruption, environmental degradation, intermittent violent conflicts, and wars, among other things, have become the vices associated with the abundant presence of natural wealth on the African continent. The Liberian War, the Niger Delta insurgencies, the Marikana massacre in South Africa, the Adaka Boro episode in Nigeria, the land crises in most African societies, the imbroglio over the Nile River, and a series of other intra- and inter-African conflicts over natural resources have drawn the attention of scholars. This chapter argues that the management of the politics associated with Africa’s natural resources has continued to drive the resource-curse syndrome, with attendant consequences on security and stability. While corruption characterizes and engenders the domestic management of these resources, the neocolonial mentality and geopolitical construction of the African states drive the international dimension of these conflicts. Mismanagement of the proceeds of natural minerals in most African societies has led to the proliferation of armed conflicts and other criminal activities, while the political, military, and bureaucratic elites have remained the beneficiaries of the resources. With connections to foreign countries and multinational conglomerates (who are the recipients of the supplies of raw natural resources), the African elites often provoke conflicts to facilitate resource mismanagement. Proceeds from the illegal mining of resources, popularly known as ‘blood diamonds’ or ‘blood money,’ in collaboration with external forces, have been used to fund a series of wars and conflicts in Africa. This chapter asserts that resource-based conflicts in Africa would cease only when African leaders assume the role of statesmen who are committed to societal development and peace rather than pecuniary gains for personal enrichment.
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Fagbadebo, O., Binza, M.S., Kabange, M.M. (2023). Resource-Based Conflicts in Africa. In: Solomon, H., Cocodia, J. (eds) African Security in the Anthropocene. The Anthropocene: Politik—Economics—Society—Science, vol 36. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-25151-1_6
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