Contemporary African Politics Overview

Contemporary African Politics

• Politics encompasses decision-making, power, resource distribution, status, cooperation, negotiation, and conflict in societies.
• Political Science is the study of government administration, governance, and community management methods.
• A political system defines acceptable political methods within a society.
• Pre-colonial African societies were governed by tribal entities and nation-states (e.g., Nubian, Ethiopian, Kush, Abyssinia).

Ethiopian and Kush

• Ethiopian and Kush were ancient Greek terms used to describe Black people in Africa.
• Kush means "Land of the Black" in Nubian.
• Sudan, in Arabic, refers to the entire African continent.
• Kushians were descendants of Ham (one of Noah's sons) and the original inhabitants of Africa.

Ancient Kingdoms of Africa

• Kerma civilization (2500-1500 BC) was the oldest civilization in Africa, located in Northern Sudan.
• Settlements were recorded as early as 8,350 BC.
• Nubians were powerful dynasties, including Pharaonic dynasties in Egypt.
• Nubians invaded Upper Egypt, occupying Aswan, aiming to drive out Ptolemy invaders.

Major Nubian Kingdoms

• Kush (1070 BC – 350 AD), Merowe (800 BC – 350 AD), Almuqarra (500 – 1315 AD), Nobatiya (350 - 650 AD), and Alwa (350 -1502 AD).
• These kingdoms had capitals in Kareema, Dongola, Faras, and Soba.
• Nubians engaged in foreign relations with Pharaonic Egypt and Romans.
• They signed a 100-year non-aggression agreement in 451 AD with Roman commander Maximinios and Emperor Justinian in 527 AD.

Abyssinia and Christianity

• Abyssinia embraced Christianity in the 4th century AD.
• Relations were established with Christian dynasties in Egypt and the Roman Empire.
• Ethiopia's Emperor Najashi adopted Islam in the 7th century, leading to centuries of peaceful relations.
• No Muslim invasion.

The Advent of Islam

• Islam arrived in Africa in the early seventh century, with Muslim warriors entering Egypt and Nubia.
• Agreements were signed allowing movement and trade between Egypt and Nubia (652 AD).

Pre-Colonial African States

• Key states (13th-19th centuries) included the Blue Sultanate, Darfur Sultanate, Takrur, Wadai Abasi Sultanate, Kanem Borno, Hausa kingdoms, and Sokoto States.
• These greatly influenced modern African post-colonial states, affecting demography, culture, the economy, and political thought.
• The Blue Sultanate, one of the major kingdoms west of the Red Sea, ceased to exist in 1821, when it was invaded by the Khedive administration of Egypt.

The Sultanate of Darfur

• A significant Islamic Sultanate in western Sudan.
• Lasted more than four centuries before collapsing in 1874, under Az-Zubayr Pasha.

The Slave Trade and European Rule in Africa

• Slavery is a system where one person owns another as property.
• Institutionalized slavery emerged in ancient Sumer (Mesopotamia) around 3500 BC.
• Tribes had laws and boundaries regarding captives of war or imprisoned persons.
• The global slave trade (16th-19th centuries) transported 10-12 million enslaved Africans to the Americas.
• European powers (Portuguese and Spanish) began transporting African slaves.
• Slavery in the Americas started in 1526.

Triangular Trade

• Involved the exchange of goods (arms, textiles, wine, sugar, coffee) across Europe, Africa, and the Americas.

American Slavery

• Practiced in the Thirteen Colonies of British America from 1526.
• Enslaved persons were considered property.
• Abolition in 1865.

Impact of the Slave Trade on Africa

• Depopulation, fear of captivity, and economic disruption in West Africa.
• Estimated loss of 10-15% of captives during the journey.
• Impoverishment in African countries, impacting economic, social, political and legal systems.

The Era of International Conventions on Suppression of Slavery

• The League of Nations created the 1926 Slavery Convention.
• Various conventions were adopted to halt slavery and the slave trade, under the UN auspices.

Nationalism and Independence

• Nationalism is the tendency to support one's nation, particularly in face of threats or detriment to other nations' interests.
• Pan-Africanism aimed for the federation of all African nation-states, while African nationalism focused on creating independent nation-states.
• Notable figures in African nationalism include Othman Dan Fodio, Patrice Lumumba, Ahmed Sékou Touré, and Julius Nyerere.
• The 1820s-1885 Sudanese Mahdist Revolution caused the overthrow of Egypt's rule, leading to Sudanese independence movements during British rule.

Legacies of Colonial Rule

• Colonial powers offered certain services (literacy, infrastructure, and government), but were often accompanied by cultural assimilation and attempts to impose Western values.
• Created an environment of lawlessness and misgovernance, hindering development.
• Used existing African tribes and political structures for administration.

The Scramble for Africa

• The period of mass European colonization of Africa (1833-1914) by Western powers, driven by the desire for resources.
• The Conference of Berlin (1884-1886) regulated European colonization and trade.
• The European powers divided African territories amongst themselves.

Contemporary African States

• Faced various challenges after independence.
• Political and economic instabilities, impacting governance frameworks, development and diversity.
• Debt restructuring efforts, to address debt.
• Efforts towards regional governance and unity, through organisations like African Union (AU), and various economic, political and social efforts to ensure cooperation and development.

Race, Ethnicity, and Politics in the African Post-Colonial State

• Ethnicity comprises shared cultural attributes, consciousness, and boundaries. Africa displays significant ethnic diversity.
• Race is often described as groups with similar physical traits, cultural background, language, religion, or geographical origin
• Racial Discrimination is any distinction, exclusion, restriction, or preference based on race, color, descent, or ethnic origin.

Religion and Politics in the African Contemporary State

• Religion played a significant role for governance in pre-colonial Africa.
• Different religious groups adhered to the customs, laws, and practices of their region, and the church in various forms and sizes shaped politics.
• Colonial influences brought religious diversification across African states.