Insecurity and Political Conflicts Appraisal of Challenges to Africa’s Development in the Twenty-First Century

Abstract

Development as a process of progressive change is an essential aspect of statecraft to improve the fortune of the state and socio-economic well-being of the citizens. This multifaceted approach towards upliftment of humanity in both material production and scientific (inquiry for sustainable) knowledge has continuously eluded Africa despite her vast human and material resources. The primary objective of the study is to interrogate the nexus between political conflicts/insecurity and absence of meaningful development in African states. The theoretical framework adopted for analysis is conflict cum fragility theory. The study adopted qualitative research methods in which secondary data were collected from documentary sources. The study identifies poor democratic culture, corruption, lack of action-centered leadership, divisive political elites, abject poverty, inability to manage multi-ethnic state with equity, filthy political environment, ill-conceived political orientation, unhealthy ethnic and political competition, political conflicts and insurgency as bane to Africa’s development. The study recommends instituting good governance and efficient political institutions as well as action-centered leadership based on equity and fairness in resource allocation in a multi-ethnic state as the panacea for overcoming Nigeria’s numerous security and development challenges.