Book contents
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- List of Illustrations
- Preface
- List of Abbreviations
- Introduction
- 1 Natural Resources and Conflict in Africa: Framework for Understanding a Linkage
- 2 Political Geography of Natural Resources in Africa
- 3 Land and Conflict
- 4 The Conflicts over Solid Minerals
- 5 Conflicts Involving Oil
- 6 Water and Conflict
- 7 Governance and Natural Resource Conflicts
- Conclusion
- Notes
- Bibliography
- Index
- Rochester studies in African History and the Diaspora
Introduction
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 12 September 2012
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- List of Illustrations
- Preface
- List of Abbreviations
- Introduction
- 1 Natural Resources and Conflict in Africa: Framework for Understanding a Linkage
- 2 Political Geography of Natural Resources in Africa
- 3 Land and Conflict
- 4 The Conflicts over Solid Minerals
- 5 Conflicts Involving Oil
- 6 Water and Conflict
- 7 Governance and Natural Resource Conflicts
- Conclusion
- Notes
- Bibliography
- Index
- Rochester studies in African History and the Diaspora
Summary
We are fighting and killing ourselves over what God gave to make us happy and comfortable. I sometimes wonder whether it would not be better if God takes away the endowment, and by so doing, spare us the tragedy it has brought to our life.
A resident of KoiduIn many African nations, the natural resources that should be used to feed and educate people are instead being used to destroy them.… Colonialism, which allowed Europe to extract Africa's natural resources, left behind leaders who exploit their gold, diamonds, timber, oil … to benefit their own regional or ethnic groups or their own bank accounts.
International Herald TribuneThe link between natural resources and conflict is probably as old as human settlement. Empires and kingdoms throughout history are known to have risen or fallen because of their victories or defeats in wars that were heavily laden with natural resource considerations. History is also replete with examples of friendships and alliances forged by empires and kingdoms to defend access to, and control of, essential natural resources, while efforts have always been made to appease those who might block access to sources of vital natural resources. This portrays the importance of natural resources to politics, diplomacy, and intergroup relations.
- Type
- Chapter
- Information
- Natural Resources and Conflict in AfricaThe Tragedy of Endowment, pp. 1 - 13Publisher: Boydell & BrewerPrint publication year: 2007