A Continent of Contradictions

摘要

In recent years, Africa has become an arena of increasing rivalry between global powers that maintain a strong military and economic footprint there. At the same time, African countries are trying to establish their own military capabilities. Although 56 years have already passed since the 1960's so-called Year of Africa, when the number of independent African states rose from nine to 26, many countries on the continent are still unable to enjoy full sovereignty and effective political-military capabilities. Many of them are either dependent on international humanitarian aid or on assistance provided by former rulers (mainly France). It may be a cliche, but a wide range of regional plagues and problems, such as poverty, a lack of education and economic opportunities, lawlessness, and internal and transnational violence or crime, is still negatively affecting these states. Many of them are stricken by weak and corrupted political and military authorities. It is no surprise that, every year, African states are amongst the most at risk from collapse. According to "The Fragile States Index 2015" established by the think-tank Fund For Peace (FFP), South Sudan, Somalia, the Central African Republic, and Sudan are on "very high alert," while the countries on "high alert" include the Democratic Republic of Congo, Chad, Guinea, Nigeria, the Ivory Coast, and Zimbabwe.