Citizenship, Political Violence, and Democratization in Africa

Abstract

Abstract The denial of full citizenship rights to selected individuals and groups in Africa has triggered political violence. In many instances, these conflicts have slowed down the democratization process, which is essential for pulling Africa out of poverty and placing it more firmly on the path of stability and sustainable development. This failure to democratize has implications for national, regional, and global governance. More numerous than ethnic wars, are cases of inter-communal violence that involve the denial of full citizenship rights to minorities. Like violent conflicts at the provincial and national levels, inter-communal violence has an adverse impact on the democratization process. The development of genuinely democratic local governance and the nurturing of a democratic culture of participation, tolerance, respect for diversity, and equity are impeded drastically without full citizenship rights for all residents.