Concept Note

The independence of many African countries came with a lot of expectations. However, a few years after their independence, many African countries experienced rising frustration due to unrealized dreams – multiparty democracy was thwarted by military intervention in politics; the anticipated economic development remained stillborn as poverty, inequality, unemployment, and other challenges were written all over the map of Africa; and the spirit of nationalism witnessed during the independence struggle waned as lack of patriotism and divisive politics permeated African countries. What is more, violent conflicts and civil wars spread across the continent, from Nigeria’s bloody civil war of 1967-70 to civil wars in countries like Liberia (1989-1997) and Sierra Leone (1991–2002), to mention a few.