Africa  Current Issues

Not self-sufficient Little manufacturing in Africa. Africa provides raw materials to the world’s industrial countries.

European colonizers exploited Africa’s resources and people. Mined and drilled with little regard for environment. Fostered political instability

Africa’s economic status Most countries worse off than before the 1960s. Average income has decreased. Infrastructure not in place. No access to computers or other technology.

When European countries left Africa, Africans had no money for transportation, education, and business. Had to borrow money and have huge debts. Countries trying to cooperate to foster trade.

African Highway System

Democratic Republic of Congo

Democratic Republic of Congo DRC Huge amounts of gold, copper, and diamonds. In disarray after colonization. Leader, Mobutu Sese Seko (1967-1997) brought business under national control. Stole money, used military force, killed thousands, used warfare. Money from “blood diamonds” funded the warfare. DRC still struggling to establish political stability.

Building industries Rely on one or two principal commodities, calling themselves, “one-commodity” countries. Commodity value unstable. African countries must diversify and create variety in their economies and promote manufacturing.

Education Unschooled population is barrier to economic success. Civil war and sexism has destroyed parts of the education system. Educated African professionals leave for Western countries.

Education barriers are shortage of teachers, high dropout rate, 700 languages, and shortage of high schools. Less than half of sub-Sahara Africa’s high school kids attend school.

Disease and despair Controlling AIDS and other diseases has to be done to improve way of life. Inadequate sanitation and lack of clean drinking water can lead to cholera. Mosquitoes cause malaria which is resistant to treatment in some parts of Africa.

HIV/AIDS 24 million people are infected with HIV. Population could decline by 10-20%. More than 14 million children have been orphaned by AIDS. Average life expectancy in Sub-Saharan Africa is as low as 34 years old. AIDS education is increasing, but cultural norms create hostility and myths about the disease.

Southern Sudan 1985 resulted in 2 decades of civil war between north and south Sudan. 1.5 million killed. July 9, 2011  Southern Sudan declared independence. 80% of the entire region Sudan’s oil is in South Sudan. Christianity is the major religion of the South, and Islam is the religion of the north.

South Sudan currently at war with border tribes from the north. CIA issued a warning for a potential genocide. Internal violence, cattle raids, and cultural/economic violence between tribes. September  a state of emergency was declared due to the violence.

Bashir is an Islamic radical who is imposing Sharia Law in the north. Republic of Sudan (North) president, Bashir, is accused of war crimes by the International Court over the conflict in Darfur. Accused of genocide and war crimes. Bashir is an Islamic radical who is imposing Sharia Law in the north. Another reason for South succession.