Issues in Africa

Geographical Issues Desertification – when a desert is formed due to drought and population factors. Most north African countries have to import much of their food because of scarcity of water and arable land.

Disease Malaria - a mosquito-borne disease caused by a parasite. People with malaria often experience fever, chills, and flu-like illness. AIDS – a major problem in southern Africa that attacks the immune system and has no cure.

European colonialism European countries fought to exploit the continent’s natural resources. When Europeans drew colonial boundaries for Africa at the berlin conference, they mostly ignored existing African ethnic boundaries.

European colonialism Colonialism led to: Poverty Civil war Improved transportation

poverty The greatest obstacle to education in Africa is poverty.

Poverty and poaching The desire for the natives to meet their basic needs and world’s demand for trophies has led to an increased amount of poaching.

African conflict Genocide – the intentional destruction of a people. Rwanda darfur

African conflict South Sudan splits from Sudan in 2011 over conflict about resources and religion.

African conflict Conflict (blood) diamonds diamonds mined in West Africa to fund conflict. Men, women, and children forced to labor.

African conflict Apartheid – the policy of separating black Africans from white Africans in South Africa.

African conflict Nelson Mandela – the first black president of South Africa. He became president after spending almost 27years in prison for fighting apartheid.

Arab spring Arab spring – a time of uprising and civil conflict that arose in the Arab world in late 2010. Less corruption in leadership More openly democratic forms of government