GGH2601
Assignment 1
Semester 2
Unique No: 143131
Due 18 August 2025
, GGH2601: The African Challenge – People and the Environment
Assessment 1
Question 1: How Diversity on the African Continent Can Fuel Conflict
Africa is regarded as the most culturally, linguistically, and ethnically diverse continent
globally. This diversity is reflected in the presence of over 3,000 ethnic groups and more
than 2,000 languages across 54 countries (Akinwale, 2021). While such diversity can
enrich societies by fostering cultural exchange, innovation, and resilience, it can also
become a catalyst for conflict when political and governance systems fail to equitably
accommodate the interests of different groups.
The potential for diversity to fuel conflict is heightened when ethnic, religious, and
cultural divisions intersect with economic disparities and unequal political
representation. In many African states, colonial-era boundaries grouped together
communities with distinct identities, histories, and in some cases, long-standing
rivalries. These artificial borders often ignored existing socio-political structures, creating
conditions where competition for resources and state power became intertwined with
ethnic identity.
A common manifestation of this is ethnic competition for political dominance and
economic control. In Nigeria, for example, tensions between the Hausa-Fulani, Yoruba,
and Igbo groups have shaped national politics and contributed to violent episodes such
as the Biafran Civil War (1967–1970) and recurring inter-communal clashes (Falola,
2020). Similarly, in Kenya, political actors have at times mobilised ethnic loyalties to
secure electoral support, intensifying divisions. The post-election crisis of 2007–2008
illustrates how these divisions can escalate into large-scale violence, displacing
communities and undermining national stability (Omeje & Mwangi, 2022).
Assignment 1
Semester 2
Unique No: 143131
Due 18 August 2025
, GGH2601: The African Challenge – People and the Environment
Assessment 1
Question 1: How Diversity on the African Continent Can Fuel Conflict
Africa is regarded as the most culturally, linguistically, and ethnically diverse continent
globally. This diversity is reflected in the presence of over 3,000 ethnic groups and more
than 2,000 languages across 54 countries (Akinwale, 2021). While such diversity can
enrich societies by fostering cultural exchange, innovation, and resilience, it can also
become a catalyst for conflict when political and governance systems fail to equitably
accommodate the interests of different groups.
The potential for diversity to fuel conflict is heightened when ethnic, religious, and
cultural divisions intersect with economic disparities and unequal political
representation. In many African states, colonial-era boundaries grouped together
communities with distinct identities, histories, and in some cases, long-standing
rivalries. These artificial borders often ignored existing socio-political structures, creating
conditions where competition for resources and state power became intertwined with
ethnic identity.
A common manifestation of this is ethnic competition for political dominance and
economic control. In Nigeria, for example, tensions between the Hausa-Fulani, Yoruba,
and Igbo groups have shaped national politics and contributed to violent episodes such
as the Biafran Civil War (1967–1970) and recurring inter-communal clashes (Falola,
2020). Similarly, in Kenya, political actors have at times mobilised ethnic loyalties to
secure electoral support, intensifying divisions. The post-election crisis of 2007–2008
illustrates how these divisions can escalate into large-scale violence, displacing
communities and undermining national stability (Omeje & Mwangi, 2022).
