The Roots and Long-Term Effects of Africa’s Wars and Civil Conflicts

When the African countries gained independence, the leaders of the new states were more than just heads of state; they were seen as unifying symbols that could create a sense of national identity by representing the ideals that had inspired the fight for independence and brought the country’s people together. Houphouët-Boigny of Ivory Coast was known as “The Ram who Defends his People,” Jomo Kenyatta of Kenya was “The Flaming Spear of Kenya,” and Julius Nyerere of Tanzania was “Mwalimu,” the “Teacher.” These and other charismatic leaders like Kwame Nkrumah, Ben Bella, Nasser, Lumumba, Kenneth Kaunda were the first (“golden”) generation of African political leaders, and they gained enormous popular support as the leaders of the independence movements in the struggle against colonial powers. When they became leaders of the newly independent states Africa’s prospects seemed brighter than ever, and there were great hopes and enthusiasm everywhere on the continent that the new leaders would make major improvements in living conditions.