How do we therefore arise from such slumbers? Is it not possible for people of varied ethnicities  and cultures to live together at peace? Are such quagmires not the inferno behind all the  rivers of blood?

Colonial legacies such as arbitrary boundaries, non-hegemonic governments, weak links between state and society, elite formation, weak political institutions may be a contributing factor to such convoluted and increasingly deadly ethnic politics. However taking a close look at current trend of events, Some African governments could be largely blamed for the cause of not arising from such colonial slumbers that continue to ravage the continent.

Knowing and fully understanding the history of the continent, some  governments either refuse or continue  to be incapable of halting  their respective countries sliding in to ruin as a result of ethnic tension.   Such primacies of ethnicity has weakened many African countries and led several into civil wars. In the words of Renee Lemarchand an African historian , “ Ethnic mobilization has brought the state to its knees”. She further asserted that “Ethnicity is a dangerous phenomenon used as a resource and mobilized for political purposes.” She could not have said it better, because in the attempt of such leaders to get to the top, they seek their peoples support with the promise of rising together and therefore resort to marginalizing others. In most cases, the language of violence and death takes the forefront of achieving such objectives.

Today , the impact is only unmatched tragedies that have either taken place or is taking place while innocent blood continue to spill in the name of ethnic tension. Memories of  Rwanda, Burundi, The Democratic Republic of Congo and currently Kenya are living testaments of that reality.

Taking a look at the manipulation of  ethnicity by power hungry demagogues it is only wrong to determine that ethnicity is the foundational myth of the modern nation- state in Africa as argued by the scholar Lonsdale who draws a line between political tribalism and moral ethnicities. Lonsdale’s argument on political tribalism  as flowing from high-political intrigues constituting competition of  communities is however evident of most  African politics. From Rwanda, Burundi,Nigeria, The Congos to Liberia, Ivory-Coast,The Cassamance in Senegal and Kenya  , ethnic tensions have undermined the state, triggered conflagrations and is often at the root of conflicts.

In the aftermath of the Presidential elections in Kenya for example, the  violence that followed  was clearly an element of ethnic tension. The Kikuyu tribe of President Kibaki automatically became targets of other ethnic groups largely as a result of marginalization of other tribes such as the Luo. Such could have been averted if proper mechanisms were effectively put in place.

As bifurcated as the ethnic apparatus is, it is important  for governments and leadership across the continent realize that  only political homogeneity and the unfettered  acceptance of one another  irrespective of ethnicity, will help us avert such negative modicums of African societies.

It is also important to realize that “instead of dismissing the widespread incidence of ethnic favoritism in state recruitments, langauge or developmental policies as temporarily shortcomings, there is now some recognition of the extent to which Third World states exhibit a mono-ethnic tendency” (D.Brown). Many could rightfully argue that  the tiny West African nation ;The Gambia,  that is marred by such favoritism in state recruitments  and developmental policies is a testament to the aforementioned reality. It is also a contributing  factor  that landed  the Chadian regime of Idriss deby  in the midst of political uncertainty.

The great scholar Myron Weiner also noted that “ In country after country, a single ethnic group has taken control over the state and used its powers to exercise control over others……In retrospect there has been far less “nation-building “ than many analysts had expected or hoped, for the process of state building has rendered many ethnic groups devoid of power or influence.” It is such state manipulations of ethnicity that is largely referred to as “divide and rule”. Many other scholars interpreter such moves as the quest by dominant ethnicities to enhance their authority and control over the others. These are some of the reasons why most African governments find themselves in political minefields.

In conclusion, it is important to take a backdrop to the questions posed at the beginning: How do we therefore arise from such natural slumbers, Is it not possible for people of varied ethnicities  and cultures to live together at peace, Are such quagmires not the inferno behind all the  rivers of blood?. In responding to these questions, it is important to note the role played by cultural pluralism in societies and how they influence both the elite composition and  state institutions. It is also important to  recognize the different roles of the state upon the development of ethnic awareness in this changing 21st century. What we must always remember as Winston Churchill once observed, “ The father backward one can look, the farther forward one can see”

NB

Ethnic politics is a dangerous and retarded doctrine of modern times (B.Minteh)