Africa is the second largest continent, and in 2012 is home to 54 countries.  This number, includes the newly established Southern Sudan, the disputed territory of Western Sahara and seven islands off the coast of Africa.  Stating that African has diverse landscapes, and people is a gross simplification of complexity. Africa is the home of tens of thousands of ethnic groups, and a multitude of varied topographies. The continent, African nations, and its societies have a rich history.

Some scientific evidence suggests, that all ancestors of humanity may evolved in Africa.  The earliest evidence of humanity was found in East Africa. Subsequently, Africa was home to a variety of great civilizations such as the Egyptian Kingdoms. These civilizations made significant contributions to humankind.  Later on the populations in northern and north-western Africa slowly converted to Islam.  Starting in the 8th century C.E. an influx of émigré communities, primarily along the east coast of Africa, change the local demographics.  Invading colonizers and trade relationships led to an intermingling of differing cultures on the continent.  Thus, the Swahili culture developed when Arab traders mixed with the Bantu people via inter-marriage. Click on image to learn more on BBC´s site: The Story of Africa: The History of Africa from the Dawn of Time.

Colonialism in Africa can be divided into three distinct periods.  The first period started in the 15th century when Portugal explorers reached the African continent.  The second period in the early 19th century was marked by an intense territorial pursuit by European imperial powers. Colonies were established, exploited, fought over, divided, and re-divided among these empires.  Thus, the major powers of the time, developed colonies in Africa based on their notions of a state, set by the EuropeaTreaty of Westphalia. Nevertheless, the nation state sentiment was not indigenous to African countries where borders meant little.  Based on European notions, the colonial power drew national border lines, often arbitrarily, not based on historical and ethnic delineations.  After the Second World War the third period was discernible by an increase of wars of independence. Click on image above to learn more on BBC´s site: The Story of Africa: The History of Africa from the Dawn of Time.

Africa is a continent of controversy.  As an ancient continent Africa has a wealth of mineral deposits.  South Africa has large deposits of rare earth elements (REE), used in today´s high tech industry.  Many other African nations (Malawi, Mozambique, Angola) and the Democratic Republic (DR) of Congo also have rich deposits. Among others Angola, Uganda, Mozambique and Tanzania have hydrocarbon deposits. Oil finds were just (Mar 2012) confirmed in the Lake Turkana area of northern Kenya. Historically, looking at the Congo region, the exploitation of the natural resources by foreign powers can be described as “traditional.”   In the Congo, Belgium colonizers in the past, and today predominantly China, enrich themselves on the back of the Congolese. The Congolese are some of the poorest in Africa.  Fair trade initiatives would give
these countries the chance to profit from their mineral wealth and could aid the respective governments.  However, Africa´s problem is not primarily due to outside influences. Unfortunately, many African societies suffer from a culture of poverty. This culture leads to a disregard for personal property and a sense of entitlement. Even the established African elites in many countries, and the elected or de-facto heads of governments, often follow a merely self-serving path.  Thus, corruption is rampant. See our  Africa Studies Page for additional information. You may also see our Map and Geological Survey page for more detailed info.

For African nations, independence often fought for, was often not followed by peace.  In many countries, such as Mozambique, an initial peace did not last long.  Civil wars and/or non-state actor conflicts ensued.  Since 1946 or instance,  the populations of Somalia, Chad, and Sudan are engaged in some type of armed conflict.  Many African governments did not fully control, and still in 2012, do not necessarily control their respective hinterlands and borders.  In Sudan ethnic division greatly contributed to two civil wars, leading to the 2011 separation into two countries.  The Somali government never really controlled the tribes of its various independent regions.  In Sudan and Somalia ancient tribal animosities are also a continuing factor for instability.  In 1994 long lasting tribal rivalries led to genocide in Rwanda. See our Research Links Page for additional information. You may also click on the image below to access our African Studies page.

Yet again in 2011, the majority of failed states call their home the African continent.  Somalia, Sudan and Chad currently rank the top three of the current failed states index.  Of the first 20 nations in ranking, 15 are located in Africa.  Moreover, aside from Iraq, Afghanistan, and Haiti, all other failed states are located in Africa.  The Index assesses all countries  in terms of  proper governance, or their lack of control and stability. Thus, a look at Foreign Policy´s interactive map is sobering (Failed States Map).  Partially to blame for instability on the continent is the fact that in the last century many African states fought war against their former colonizers. See Research Links  page for more information. You may also click on the image to the left.

Human trafficking occurs nationally and internationally.  Refugees from failed states, such as Somalia, are trafficked by organized crime groups, throughout Africa and internationally.  Exploitation (sexual, labor, and child soldier) is the prime motivator.  In addition, to being an ethical problem (ever wondered who processed your foods, drinks and clothes) human trafficking affects the global economy, because manufacturing is cheap when you don´t have to pay fair wages.  Human Trafficking and Modern Slavery are prevalent problems in Africa.  Many African governments are unable / willing to combat the issue (see the U.S. State Department Trafficking in Persons Report (TIP) 2011.)  Thus, what happens in Africa also affects, morally and financially, every American. Maybe all of us should start looking at what constitutes "fair trade."  Next time we buy, lets inquire how manufacturers process items we purchase. Do we really need another new shirt, knowing that we already have twenty-two, and this twenty-third may have been made in the worst kind of sweatshop?  Are our workers unemployed, because we want  cheap mass quantiy vice quality? Would not the knowledge that a fair compensated, and humanly treated labor force manufactured the shirt increase its value?  How about having ten high quality shirts manufactured by a "happy workforce" vice twenty produced by exploited women? 
 
Human trafficking on the rise amid Horn of Africa's drought and famine. Women and children, most fleeing drought and conflict in Somalia, are being trafficked into Kenya and sold into prostitution or forced labor. Read the article by Peter Kahare in the Guardian.

A lack of government provisions contributed to rising Islamic extremism.  In Somalia as well as Nigeria respectively, the movements of al-Shabbab, and Boko Haram rose to prominence.  These groups were able to establish a following, because they filled a vacuum the respective governments could not.  They provided for initial social service and judicial proceedings.  Now in 2012, both groups threaten the stability along Africa´s east coast.  The group´s foreign attack and kidnapping targets include Europeans and Americans alike.  In northern Africa the Arab Spring, in the West much heralded, faltered existing governments.  In Egypt the November 2011 parliamentary elections rendered the political arm of the  Muslim Brotherhood as prominent winner and influence within the country.  The Muslim Brotherhood provided social services to needy Egyptians for decades.  Events in Egypt traditionally have significant influence on Middle Eastern, and other northern African countries.  In 2012, the consequence of the Arab Spring are far from being played out. 

Pirates are active on the East African coast.  In the past, illegal off-shore fishing by third country nations wrecked the livelihood of local fishermen.  The responsible government, for one reason or another, was incapable or unwilling in preventing the exploitation.  Subsequently, piracy provided a means of income for the destitute villagers.  In turn, the international community supported inefficient governments by training law enforcement elements. The Somali coast guard in the past was trained by Western forces.  When the country became even more volatile many of the trained guards’ men turned to piracy to save their livelihood.  Nevertheless, in 2011, journalists reporting from Somalia continue to argue for the need of aid to train the local coast guard.  Financing and training the local guards is a solution which was tried before, but backfired.