Safe Democracy Foundation - Safe Democracy

The consequences of oil politics

Elisa Valle Marcos explains why Nigeria, the largest producer of petroleum in Africa, and home to vast deposits of natural gas, is considered by many experts as one of the most failed States in the world. With corruption, insecurity, and poverty running rampant, the Nigerian government has failed continuously to offer solutions to its many problems, even after the transition to democracy in 1999. And as the oil business continues to destroy communities, and the Nigerian government to ignore human rights, the question remains whether or not the international community can put pressure on Nigeria to change and lose the title of failed State.

Geopolitics and the struggle over Resources in the horn of Africa

Asoka Ranaweera describes how the current situation of civil war, repression, and lawlessness in Somalia is more due to the complexities of regional geopolitics, than it is to the supposed infiltration of Al Qaeda. And although the Western World is reluctant to play an active role in Somalia since the UN pullout in the early 1990’s, it is essential for the world to turn its full attention to Somalia in order to better understand the situation and find a solution to the cycle of violence, which has been repeated over and over again in countless post-colonial states.

Antumi Toasije explains why the current crisis in Sudan, in which the Northern Sudanese Arabs are trying to gain control of the Center, Southern, Western, and Eastern regions belonging to black Sudanese, is much more than a postcolonial racial tragedy. Important economic issues are at play in these regions rich with petroleum and minerals. Toasije analyzes the possibility of a UN military intervention, denounces the fact that internal conflicts put Africa back in the hands of foreign troops, and calls for a nonreligious Sudan, united, and linked to the rest of the continent.

Asoka Ranaweera gives a brief history of Liberia from its foundations up to the modern day, discussing the disastrous effects that civil war and instability have had upon the region. In Ranaweera’s opinion, the election of President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf marks a new chapter in Liberia’s history with the possibility for economic growth and prosperity. But, Ranaweera warns, positive change cannot be made without the support of the international community.

Sagrario Morán explains that although Africa is one of the richest continents on earth in natural resources, it is the one most plagued by violence, war, and human rights violations. In Morán’s opinion there are both external and internal causes to Africa’s trouble. Externally these issues arise from the foreign interference of colonialism and big business, while internally conflict stems from constant civil war, negligence in government, corruption, and ethnic, racial, and religious hatred. And yet, through all of the suffering that the continent has undergone, Morán believes that with intelligent planning, strategic development, and solidarity, a bright future can be achieved in Africa.