UNDERSTANDING CONFLICTS IN AFRICA: A REVIEW OF GEOPOLITICAL INSTABILITY AND ITS ROOT CAUSES

Abstract

Abstract. Currently, Africa remains a specific region characterized by high tensions stemming from various intra-state uprisings and inter-state conflicts. The roots of this situation lie in political instability, economic inequality, and the social fragmentation of the population, which has a long history. The diversity of ethnicities, religious movements, and colonial experiences on this continent have often served as a basis for deepening social divisions and the passage of violent clashes.

In recent decades, the conflict situation has been further complicated by the growing influence of non-state actors on the continent, external intervention by economically developed states, and the intensification of competition for natural resources at the global level. These factors have become drivers of the intensification of existing tensions in the region.

By examining the main drivers of instability - from governance deficits and economic isolation to ethnic resentments and environmental problems, this study aims to develop a holistic understanding of the specifics of conflicts in Africa. Particular attention is paid to how contemporary challenges, such as international geopolitical rivalry and resource scarcity, intersect with traditional sources of tension, making conventional conflict resolution mechanisms increasingly ineffective.

The study found that resolving African conflicts requires a paradigm shift from isolated sectoral interventions to comprehensive, synergistic strategies that simultaneously address the root causes in political, economic and social aspects. For example, the joint infrastructure program of the European Union and the African Union worth €750 million demonstrates how infrastructure and economic integration can function as tools for building peace and stability. There are a large number of similar initiatives, such as the African Union Agenda 2063, which envisages the development of African countries to transform the region into a peaceful and prosperous one, but their implementation is hampered by insufficient investment and protracted conflicts.