The Forgotten Atrocities.

 The Forgotten Atrocities 

                                         

In today's global landscape, headlines are dominated by high-profile conflicts such as the Russia-Ukraine tensions and the ongoing strife in the Middle East. Mainstream media often frames these narratives through a lens of economic and political significance, overlooking the profound human suffering at their core. For instance, Gaza's children capture global attention due to their impact on the global economy, but let's not forget the equally devastating effects of African civil wars often overlooked.

The notion that the world became anarchical post-2020 fails to acknowledge the longstanding issues that predate this era, particularly in regions like Africa, where conflicts such as those in Sudan and Congo persist. The civil war in Sudan, now entering its second year, has inflicted a devastating toll, with millions displaced and vulnerable to hunger and violence. Despite UN pleas for humanitarian aid, mediation efforts have faltered, leaving countless lives in jeopardy.

Let's not forget, this isn't a recent trend. Think back to the post-World War II era when discussions around human rights really took off. It was because European countries, especially the more developed ones, saw the massive destruction from the war and started grasping the importance of human rights. Before that, not many voices were raised in defense of human dignity and rights, despite widespread violations during the colonial era. This history lesson emphasizes how crucial it is to tackle injustices head-on, echoing Thrasymachus' views in Plato's "Republic" that justice often boils down to who holds the power.

Over the last 40 years nearly 20 African countries (or about 40 percent of Africa

south of the Sahara (SSA)) have experienced at least one period of civil war.Contrary to popular belief, Africa's civil wars are not due to its ethnic and religious diversity.Africa's susceptibility to violent conflict stems from several factors. Firstly, the continent's heavy reliance on natural resource exports makes these resources attractive targets for rebel groups to fund their activities. While other regions also depend on natural resources, the relationship between resource dependence and civil war risk in Africa follows a quadratic pattern, meaning more African countries are situated closer to the peak of resource dependence, heightening the threat of conflict. Additionally, Africa's significantly lower levels of per capita income compared to other developing regions exacerbate the risk of civil unrest, particularly among its impoverished and undereducated youth who are more prone to recruitment by rebel groups. Furthermore, the continent's failure to establish robust democratic institutions further compounds these challenges, amplifying the likelihood of political violence across the region.

Ironically, Africa's extensive ethnic diversity, often blamed for instigating violent conflict, actually fosters stability in the most diverse nations. While Africa generally lags behind East and South Asia in economic and political metrics, some Asian countries face a higher risk of civil war due to ethnic polarization. Globally, countries with either highly homogeneous or highly diverse populations are less prone to violent conflicts compared to polarized societies. This is because organizing and sustaining rebellions is challenging in societies with numerous small ethnic or religious sub-groups. Consequently, conflicts in Africa often manifest as sub-group rebellions, mistakenly interpreted as ethnically-driven.

The inclusion of the African Union within the G20 framework has been perceived as a significant stride, yet it merely scratches the surface of underlying complexities. Despite this symbolic gesture, the substantive challenges encompassing the socio-economic and political landscape of Africa remain largely unaddressed. These issues extend beyond mere recognition within international forums; they encompass the historical legacies of exploitation and ongoing economic disparities perpetuated by developed nations.In conclusion, understanding the intricate dynamics influencing the prevalence of civil wars in Africa is paramount for effective conflict prevention and resolution.The intricate interplay between socio-economic factors and conflict risk in Africa underscores the urgency of inclusive governance, poverty alleviation, and economic diversification in mitigating the prevalence of civil wars.To accomplish this, mainstream discourse must broaden its focus beyond West Asia and Europe, delving deeply into African issues instead of superficially categorizing them as ethnic conflicts.