Issue

Vol. 34 No. 3-4 (2009): Africa Development

10 - Capitalist Globalisation and the Role of the International Community in Resource Conflicts in Africa

https://doi.org/10.4314/ad.v34i3-4.63535
https://doi.org/10.4314/ad.v34i3-4.63535
Adekunle Amuwo

Corresponding Author(s) : Adekunle Amuwo

Kunle1995@yahoo.com

Africa Development, Vol. 34 No. 3-4 (2009): Africa Development

Abstract

The principal thesis of this paper is that under contemporary capitalist globalisation, the so-called international community constitutes more of the problem than the solution in the continent’s resource and allied conflicts. We argue that the geo-strategic and geo-political interests of major western and other powers and the transnational capitalist class (TCC), which tend to defend and enhance these interests, have over the past several decades either been the root cause of resource con- flicts on the African continent or have fuelled, exacerbated and pro- longed them. The almost devotional attitude of the continent’s ruling elites to the values and institutions of capitalist globalisation – and its resultant unequal distribution of the gains and pains of market reforms – have equally contributed to resource conflicts. While there is a complex interplay between internal and external factors and actors, on-balance external causation has, by far, dwarfed internal explanations of con- flicts. African societies and peoples have thus suffered an unmitigated internationalisation, exploitation and pillage of their rich tropical hard- wood, gems, mineral and oil resources. The paper proposes a strategic coalition of victims of capitalist globalisation and capitalist militarisation in Africa and elsewhere (nations, societies, communities and peoples) to systematically confront and oppose the most invidious  rocess that has turned Africa’s resource blessing into resource burden.

Keywords

Globalisation Capitalism Resources Conflicts International Community Geo-Politics Power
[1]
Amuwo, A. 2009. 10 - Capitalist Globalisation and the Role of the International Community in Resource Conflicts in Africa: https://doi.org/10.4314/ad.v34i3-4.63535. Africa Development. 34, 3-4 (Dec. 2009). DOI:https://doi.org/10.4314/ad.v34i3-4.63535.
Download Citation
Endnote/Zotero/Mendeley (RIS)
BibTeX
References
  1. Abdullah, I., 2006, ‘Africans Do Not Live by Bread Alone: Against Greed, Not Grievance’ African Review of Books, 2, 1, March, pp. 12-13.
  2. Abdullah, I., 1998, ‘Bush Path to Destruction: the Origin and Character of the Revolutionary United Front/Sierra Leone’, The Journal of Modern African Studies, 36, 2, June, pp. 203-235.
  3. Agbu, O., 2006, West Africa’s Trouble Spots and the Imperative for Peacekeeping, Dakar: CODESRIA.
  4. Akinyemi, N., 2008, ‘Book Review: Abiodun Alao (2007), Natural Resources and Conflict in Africa: The Tragedy of Endowment, Rochester, NY: University of Rochester Press’ in Journal for Global Initiatives, 3, 2, pp. 219-223.
  5. Alao, A., 2007, Natural Resources and Conflicts in Africa: The Tragedy of Endowment, Rochester, NY: University of Rochester Press.
  6. Alao, A. and Olonisakin, F., 2000, ‘Economic Fragility and Political Fluidity: Explaining Natural Resources and Conflicts’ International Peacekeeping, 7, 4, Winter, pp. 23-36.
  7. Alden, C., Large D. and Soares de Oliveira, R. (eds.), 2008, China Returns to Africa: A Rising Power and a Continent Embrace, London: C. Hurst and Co Publishers.
  8. Alden, C., 2008, ‘China in Africa’ African Security Review, 17, 1, March, pp. 120- 123.
  9. Alden, C., 2007, China in Africa, London: Zed Books.
  10. Amin, S., 2006, Beyond US Hegemony? Assessing the Prospects for a Multipolar World, Beirut: World Book Publishing, Kuala Lumpur: SIRD and London and New York: Zed Books, 191 pp.
  11. Aning, K., Birikorang, E. and Hutchful, E., 2003, The Political Economy of Conflicts in West Africa: A Contribution to the Debate, Conflict and Development Policy in the Mano River Region and Côte d’Ivoire: The Regional Stakes for Stability and Reconstruction, Paris, 13-14 May.
  12. Aning, K. and Lecoutre, D., 2008, ‘China’s Ventures in Africa’ African Security Review, 17, 1, March, pp. 39-50.
  13. Amuwo, A., 2008, Constructing the Democratic Developmental State in Africa: A case study of Nigeria, 1960-2007, Occasional Paper No. 59, Johannesburg: Institute for Global Dialogue, October.
  14. Amuwo, A., 1992, ‘The New World Order and Democratic Possibilities in Africa: A Theoretical and Empirical Consideration’ The Nigerian Journal of International Affairs, 19, 1, pp. 92-114.
  15. Azevedo, M.J., 1998, Roots of Violence: A History of War in Chad, Australia, et. al: Gordon and Breach Publishers.
  16. Baregu, M., 2002, ‘The Clones of ‘Mr. Kurtz’: Violence, War and Plunder in the DRC’ African Journal of Political Science, 7, 2, December, pp. 11-38.
  17. Berlins, M., 2007, ‘It’s Business …’ Mail and Guardian, December 14-20, p. 20.
  18. Bergsten, F., 2000, ‘Towards a Tripartite World’ The Economist, July 15, pp. 19-21.
  19. Biswas, B., 2005, ‘Scarcity and Surfeit: The Ecology of Africa’s Conflicts’ Environmental Change and Security Program Report, Issue 11, Washington: Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars and USAID, pp. 104-106.
  20. Brzezinski, Z., 2004, The Choice: Global Domination or Global Leadership, New York: Basic Books.
  21. Campbell, H., 2001, Militarism, Warfare and the Search for Peace in Angola, Pretoria: Africa Institute of South Africa Occasional Paper no. 63, 43 pp.
  22. Campbell, H., 2000, The US Security Doctrine and the Africa Crisis Response Initiative, Pretoria: Africa Institute of South Africa Occasional Paper no. 62, 48 p.
  23. Collier, P., 2000, ‘Doing Well Out of War: An Economic Perspective’ in Mats Berdal and David Malone (eds.) Greed and Grievance: Economic Agendas in Civil Wars, Boulder and London: Lynne Rienner Publishers, pp. 91-112.
  24. Dietrich, C., 2000, ‘Power Struggles in the diamond fields’ in Angola’s War Economy: The Role of oil and diamonds, ed. by Jakkie Cilliers and C. Dietrich, pp. 173-194, Pretoria: Institute for Security Studies.
  25. Doner, R.F., Ritchie, B. and Slater, D., 2005, ‘Systemic Vulnerability and the Origins of Developmental States: Northeast and Southeast Asia in Comparative Perspective’ International Organisation, 59, Spring, pp. 327-361.
  26. Downs, E., 2007, ‘China’s Quest for Overseas Oil’ Far Eastern Economic Review, September, pp. 52-56.
  27. Gelinas, J.B., 2003, Juggernaut Politics: Understanding Predatory Globalization, London and New York: Zed Books, Nova Scotia: Fernwood.
  28. Gettleman, J., 2009, ‘The Most Dangerous Place in the World’ Foreign Policy, March/April.
  29. Ghannoushi, S., 2008, ‘Minarets in Paris: a tolerance too far?’ Mail and Guardian, January 4-10, p. 12.
  30. Heine, J., 2007, ‘Empire Defanged? Non-US Perspectives on US Foreign Policy’ International Political Science Review, 28, 5, November, pp. 531-543.
  31. Hesse, B.J., 2005, ‘Celebrate or hold suspect? Bill Clinton and George W. Bush in Africa’ Journal of Contemporary African Studies, 23, 3, September, pp. 327-344.
  32. Hishaw, D., 2009, ‘Obama in Africa: Can US rival China’s New Clout?’ The Christian Science Monitor, July 10.
  33. Hubert, D., 2000, ‘Resources, Greed and The Persistence of Violent Conflict’, The Ploughshares Monitor, 21, 2, June.
  34. Human Rights Watch, 2009, They Put Me in the Hole: Military Detention, Torture and Lack of Due Process in Cabinda, June, New York, 27 p.
  35. International Environment Forum, 2002, ‘Multiple Dimensions of Globalisation’, Statement for the World Summit on Sustainable Development, August (http://wwww.bcca.org/ief/iefglob.htm, accessed 30/07/2009).
  36. Isike, C., Okeke-Uzodike, U. and Gilbert, L., 2008, ‘The US Africa Command: Enhancing American Security or fostering African development?’ African Security Review, 17, 1, March, pp. 20-38.
  37. James, H., 2009, ‘Is China the New America?’ Foreign Policy, March/April. Jawara, F. and Kwa, A., 2004, Behind the Scenes at the WTO: The Real World of International Trade Negotiations, the Lessons of Cancun, London and New York: Zed Press, 329 pp.
  38. Jessop, B., 2003, ‘Globalization: It’s about time too!’ Political Science Series (Institute for Advanced Studies, Vienna), January.
  39. Kaplan, R.D., 2009, ‘The Revenge of Geography’ Foreign Policy, May/June.
  40. Keller, Ed. J., 1996, ‘Introduction: Toward a New African Political Order’ in Africa in the New International Order: Rethinking State-Sovereignty and Regional Security, ed Keller and Donald Rotchild, pp. 1-14, Boulder and London: Lynne Rienner.
  41. Kennedy, E.A., 2009, ‘Analysis: Horn of Africa beset by troubles’ Yahoo! News, Friday, April 10.
  42. Khan, S.E., 2006, ‘Bringing the State Back In: Critique of Neo-liberal Globalization’ African Journal of International Affairs and Development, 11, 1, pp. 128-144.
  43. Kim, M., Parker, S.L. and Choi, Y.J., 2006, ‘Increasing Distrust of the USA in South Korea’ International Political Science Review, 27, 4, October, pp. 427-445.
  44. Li, M., 2008, ‘China’s Domestic Politics and its Africa Policy’ African Security Review, 17, 1, March, pp. 124-130.
  45. Makinda, S. and Wafula Okumu, F., 2008, The African Union: Challenges of globalisation, security and governance, London and New York: Routledge, 209 pp.
  46. Mama, A., 2007, ‘Women, the State and Africa’ Mail and Guardian, September 14-20, p. 23.
  47. Manji, F. and Marks, S. (eds.), 2007, African Perspectives on China in Africa, Cape Town, Nairobi and Oxford: Fahamu/Pambazuka
  48. Marysse, S. and Geenen, S., 2009, ‘Win-win or unequal exchange? The Case of the Sino-Congolese cooperation agreements’ Journal of Modern African Studies, 47, 3, September, pp. 371-396.
  49. Mazrui, A., 2004, ‘Towards Postcolonial Pacification: Africa Between War and Peace’, Keynote address to an international conference on ‘African conflicts, Management, Resolution and Post-Conflict Recovery’ organized by the OSSREA, Addis Ababa, November 29-December 2, 9 pp.
  50. Mburu, N., 1999, ‘Contemporary Banditry in the Horn of Africa: Causes, History and Political Implications’, Nordic Journal of African Studies, 8, 2, pp. 89-107.
  51. Mcrae, H., 2000, ‘Economic Globalisation: Good for Liberty’ review of John Micklethwait and Adrian Wooldridge’s A Future Perfect: The Challenge and Hidden Promise of Globalisation, London: Times Books and Heinemann, in The Economist, July 15, pp. 4-5.
  52. Melber, H., 2007, ‘The (not so) New Kid on the Block: China and the Scramble for Africa’s Resources: An Introductory Review’ in Margaret C. Lee, Henning Melber, Sanusha Naidu and Ian Taylor China in Africa, Current African Issues, 33, Uppsala: The Nordic Africa Institute, pp. 6-9.
  53. Mesfin, B., 2008, ‘Only a Folie de Grandeur? Understanding French Policy in Africa’ African Security Review, 17, 1, March, pp. 114-118.
  54. Millen, R.A., 2005, ‘Afghanistan: Reconstituting a Collapsed State’, Strategic Studies Institute, US Army War College, April, (www.strategicstudiesinstitute. army.mil/pubs/display.cfm?pubID=600, accessed 24/08/06.
  55. Mittelman, J.H., 2004, Whither Globalization? The Vortex of Knowledge and Ideology, New York: Routledge.
  56. Mittelman, J.H., 2000, The Globalization Syndrome: Transformation and Resistance, Princeton: Princeton University Press.
  57. Mosinyi, W., 2009, ‘Africa: China to Spur Continent’s Growth’ Mmegi (http://allafrica.com/stories/200908030849.html), 31 July.
  58. Nabudere, D.W., 2004, Africa’s 1st World War: Mineral, Wealth Conflicts and War in the Great Lakes Region, Occasional Paper Series (OPS), 8, 1, Pretoria: The African Association of Political Science.
  59. Naidu, S., 2007, ‘China-African Relations in the 21st Century: A ‘win-win’ Relationship?’ in Lee, et. al, China in Africa, pp. 41-46.
  60. Naim, M., 2009, ‘Think Again: Globalization’ Foreign Policy, March/April.
  61. Niquet, V., 2007, ‘China’s African Strategy’ (http://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/fr/IMG/ pdf/0805-Niquet-ANG.pdf, accessed 30/07/09); ‘La Stratégie Africaine de la Chine’, Politique Etrangère, 2nd trimestre 2006.
  62. Obi, C.I., 2008, Nigeria’s Niger Delta: Understanding the Complex Drivers of Conflict, Lecture Series on African Security, 1, Uppsala: The Nordic Africa Institute.
  63. Obi, C.I., 2007, Review of Nicholas Shaxson (2007) Poisoned Wells: The Dirty Politics of African Oil (New York: Palgrave Macmillan), in Politikon, South African Journal of Political Studies, 34, 3, December, pp. 397-399.
  64. Osha, S., 2006, ‘Slow Death in the Niger Delta’ African Review of Books, 2, 1, March, pp. 14-15.
  65. Outram, Q., 1997, ‘It’s Terminal Either Way’: An Analysis of Armed Conflict in Liberia, 1989-1996"" Review of African Political Economy, 73, pp. 355-371.
  66. Pham, J.P., 2006, ‘Reinventing Liberia: Civil Society, Governance, and a Nation’s Post-War Recovery’, The International Journal of Not-for-Profit Law, 8, 2, January, (Online), www.reinventingLiberiaCivil Society, Governance, and a Nation’s Post-War Recovery-IJNL-Vol_8Iss_2.htm, accessed 24/03/2008).
  67. Picciotto, R., 2007, ‘Conflict Prevention and Development Cooperation in Africa: State Fragility and Human Security’, A Policy Workshop Background Paper, November, 34pp.(http://www.wiltonpark.org.uk/documents/wp809/Picciotto%20%20State%FOfragiliy%20Background%20P, accessed 21/08/09).
  68. Raine, S., 2009, China’s African Challenges, Adelphi 404-5, London: International Institute of Strategic Studies (IISS).
  69. Robinson, W.I., 2008, ‘Understanding Global Capitalism with interface between national and transnational elites’ The Development Roundtable Series, January 25, 26pp (http://www.soc.ucsb.edu/faculty/robinson/Assets/pdf/understandingglobalcapitalism.pdf, accessed 23/07/09).
  70. Robinson, W.I., 2007, ‘Beyond the Theory of Imperialism: Global Capitalism and the Transnational State’ Societies Without Borders, 2, pp. 5-26.
  71. Robinson, W.I., 2005, ‘Gramsci and Globalisation: From Nation-State to Transitional Hegemony’ Critical Review of International Social and Political Philosophy, 8, 4, December, pp. 1-16.
  72. Rodney, W., 1982, How Europe Underdeveloped Africa, Washington, DC: Howard University Press.
  73. Ross, K., 2009, ‘Obama’s Visit in the Interests of Africa or its Oil?’ Pretoria News, July 15, p. 9.
  74. Rotberg, R.I. ed., 2008, China into Africa: Trade, Aid and Influence, Washington: Brookings Institution Press.
  75. Sachs, J., 2008, Commonwealth: Economics for a Crowded Planet, London: Penguin Books.
  76. Saul, J., 2006, Development after Globalization: Theory and Practice for the Embattled South in a New Imperial Age, Gurgaon: Three Essays Collective, London and New York: Zed Books and Scottsville: UKZN Press, 135pp.
  77. Schraeder, P.J., 1994, United States Foreign Policy toward Africa: Incrementalism, Crisis and Change, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
  78. Shutt, H., 1998, The Trouble with Capitalism: An Enquiry into the Causes of Global Economic Failure, London and New York: Zed Books.
  79. Soderbaum, F. and Taylor, I., 2001, ‘Transmission Belt for Transnational Capital or Facilitator for Development? Problematising the Role of the State in the Maputo Development Corridor’ Journal of Modern African Studies, 39, 4, December, pp. 675-695.
  80. Soederberg, S., 2001, ‘Grafting stability onto globalisation? Deconstructing the IMF’s Recent Bid for Transparency’ Third World Quarterly, 22, 5, October, pp. 849-864.
  81. Southall, R. and Melber, H. (eds.), 2009, New Scramble for Africa? Imperialism, Investment and Development, Uppsala: Nordic Africa Institute.
  82. Stiglitz, J., 2006, ‘The Social Dimensions of Globalization’ (Share the World’s Resources (STR) sustainable economy to end global poverty, January 31 (http://www.stwr.org/globalization/d-social-dimensions-of-globalization.html, accessed 25/07/2009).
  83. Stiglitz, J., 2002, Globalisation and Its Discontents, London: The Penguin Press.
  84. Swyngedouw, E., Moulaert, F. and Rodriguez, A., 2003, ‘Introduction’ in The Globalized City: Economic Restructuring and Social Polarization in European Cities, ed. by Moulaert, Rodriguez and Swyngedouw, Oxford: Oxford University Press.
  85. Swyngedouw, E., 2004, Social Power and the Urbanization of Water: Flows of Power, Oxford: Oxford University Press.
  86. Swyngedouw, E., 2003, ‘Globalisation or ‘Glocalization’? Networks, Territories and Rescaling’, http://www.europaforum.or.at/site/homepageifhp2003/download/langfassung_swyngedouw1.pdf, accessed 26/07/2009).
  87. Tandon, Y., 1998/1999, ‘Globalisation and Africa’s Options (Part One)’ Journal of Development Economics for Southern Africa, 1, 4 and 5, September-December 1998/January-April 1999, pp. 11-24.
  88. Tandon, Y., 1999, ‘Globalisation and Africa’s Options (Part two)’ Journal of Development Economics for Southern Africa, 1, 6 and 7, May-December, pp. 109-135.
  89. Taylor, I., 2007, ‘Unpacking China’s Resource Diplomacy in Africa’ in Lee, et.al China in Africa, pp. 10-25.
  90. Tobi, N. and Rossouw, M., 2009, ‘Oil First, Human Rights Later’ Mail and Guardian, August 21-27, p. 6.
  91. Ukeje, C.U., 2007, ‘Globalisation and Conflict Management: Reflections on the Security Challenges facing West Africa’ Globalizations, 4, 3, September, pp. 355-368.
  92. Ukeje, C.U., 2004, Oil Capital, Ethnic Nationalism and Civil Conflicts in the Niger Delta of Nigeria, Unpublished PhD dissertation, Department of International Relations, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile- Ife, Nigeria, 387pp.
  93. Underwood, T.L., 2008, ‘US Relations with South Africa: Why now is a critical time to strengthen them’ African Security Review, 17, 1, March, pp. 6-19.
  94. UNDP, 2005, Human Development Report (HDR): International Cooperation at a Crossroads: Aid, Trade and Security in an Unequal World, New York.
  95. Urry, J., 2005, ‘The Complexities of the Global’ Theory, Culture and Society, 22, 5, pp. 235-254.
  96. Vines, A., 2007, ‘China in Africa: A Mixed Blessing?’ Current History, 106, 700, May, pp. 213-219.
  97. Warah, R., 2008, ‘Not Ethnic Cleansing, But Class War’ Mail and Guardian, January 11-17, p. 12.
  98. Walters, S., 2008, ‘DRC, China Unveil ‘Marshall Plan’’ Mail and Guardian, (BEE) May 23 to 29, p. 6.
  99. Wenping, H., (n.d), ‘China’s Aid to Africa: Policy Evolution, Characteristics and Its Role’ (http://bistandsaktuett.typepad.com/blade/fileschinas_aid_to_ africa_he_wenping.ppt, accessed 25/08/2009).
  100. Wenping, H., 2007, ‘The Balancing Act of China’s Africa Policy’ China Security, 3, 3, Summer, pp. 23-40.
  101. Wenping, H., 2006, ‘China-Africa Cooperation: What’s in it for Africa?’ (http:// www.africanexecutive.com/modules/magazine/articles.php?article=3120, accessed 25/08/2008).
  102. Whelan, T., 2007, ‘Why Africom?’ Global Dialogue, 12, 2 August, pp. 31-36. Woodward, P., 1998, ‘Somalia’ in Peacekeeping in Africa, ed. Olivier Furley and Roy May, pp. 143-158, Aldershot: Ashgate.
Read More

Author Biography

Adekunle Amuwo

School of Politics, University of Kwa-Zulu Natal, Howard College Campus, Durban, South Africa. Email: amuwo@ukzn.ac.za / Kunle1995@yahoo.com.

Download
PDF
Statistic
Read Counter : 637 Download : 51

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Similar Articles

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 > >> 

You may also start an advanced similarity search for this article.