The Colonial State is the Problem in Africa

Abstract

The chapter’s central argument is that leadership, justice and human rights cannot be discussed in Africa without making reference to the colonial state. This chapter positions bad leadership, lack of human rights and injustice in Africa as desired outcomes of the colonial project. Current (post) colonial states in Africa are argued to be colonial products, structured to sustain colonial power relations long after the end of official colonialism and apartheid. The (post) colonial African state is characterised as a snare wherein African countries are trapped, having been disenfranchised, disorientated and distorted such that it now predominantly serves the needs of those who created it, i.e. global imperialists. The conclusion of the chapter is that Africa must look into itself for redemption. As long as leadership styles, human rights norms and standards and justice models are all modelled around those of the same countries which enslaved, looted and colonised Africa, Africa’s subjugation and marginalization will continue. In other words, the colonial state will continue doing what it was created to do: manufacturing, sustaining and adopting colonialism in its various forms.