Resource Control and Wars in Africa up to 2018

Abstract 

This is a study of wars in Africa and how the struggle to control resources in the continent has resulted in armed

conflict. Resource wars that have been going on in Africa are worthy of research as they have created a unique

type of armed conflict that is becoming phenomenal to the African continent. For instance, studies have revealed

that resources have played a central role in instigating and sustaining wars from the time immemorial. However,

this scenario is not in any way peculiar to Africa, rather it is a common global phenomenon. For the purpose of

this study, resources are categorized into two: resource-life and resource-strategic. While resource-life comprises of water, land, air and ecosystem, that of resource-strategic includes crude oil and natural gas, gold,

diamond and other solid minerals that have been at the centre of “high-politics” in the continent. This study seeks

to unravel the central role resources have played in stirring up and nourishing conflict to the level of wars in

Africa. The discourse combines narrative history with some measure of interdisciplinary approach to achieve a

qualitative and analytical work. Documentary method is used to generate data from secondary sources such as books, journal articles and newspaper publications. The paper concludes that almost every war in Africa is resource induced, be it resource-life or resource-strategic.

Keywords: Resources Wars, African Continent, Armed Conflict, Solid Mineral. Resource-Life, Resource-Strategic.