How did the concept of ethnicity emerge and to what extent is it linked to colonialism? What is the relationship between ethnicity and conflict in Sub-Saharan Africa? This book chapter explores the complexity of ethnic conflicts by examining social and political contexts on the ground. It summaries the theoretical debate on ethnicity, explores how ethnicity emerged and examines post-colonial politics to explain ethnicity in African societies today.
Ethnicity is generally regarded as a form of social identification and organisation, which is specific to local history, culture and location. African ethnicity is a modern construction originating from the colonial experience. Ethnicities should be considered in terms of identity, behaviour, and the relationship between the two. There are both internal (processes of individual and collective identity formation) and external (power relations) dimensions of ethnicity.
African ethnicity can be seen as an accident of history, formed by both global influences and specific local conditions. This occurred mainly during the colonial period, when access to power and political representation were altered. Colonial bureaucracies had the following impact:
- Territorial boundaries were drawn up around perceived ‘cultural units’, which were thought of as social-political units.
- A new middle class emerged, formed of those who gained an education or a job from the state bureaucracy.
- Ethnic communities provided support networks for the new middle classes, laying the basis for ethnic clientelism.
- Patrimonial control over resources became the key objective of most African state-rulers, with patronage networks forming the main link between state and society.
- Through cleintelism, rural communities were linked to urban ones, integrating local tribal authorities into the state administration. This integration caused the further institutionalism of ethnicity.
- Patrimonial political systems were formed with no aim to provide services or to encourage the development of autonomous and informal economic activities.
The non-reciprocal nature of clientelist networks has damaged the fabric of African society. Ethnicity and violence are important instruments in these political struggles. To fully understand the role of ethnicity in conflict, we need to integrate our analysis of both identity and practice.
- The term ‘ethnic conflict’ does not itself allow a meaningful analysis of the local context involved.
- Ethnic conflict is not a conflict between ethnic groups: ethnic groups with rigid boundaries are the outcome of violence.
- Ethnic conflict is not caused by differences of culture. Ethnicities are loose forms of identification and organisation that are highly variable.
- Current ethnic conflict should be understood as a form of intensified political and economic competition, not as a result of ethnic hatreds.
