Ethno-Religious, Political Manipulation and Conflicts in African States: Issues at Stake

Manipulation of religion, ethnicity, politics and consequential conflicts in African states have at the recent times increased heat in African states polities and further painted the continent so black that the unpopular claim that Africa is the dark continent seems to by characteristics, assume the truth path. Manipulation of ethno-religious and political activities and attendant conflicts have rendered people across the length and breadth of Africa unsecured, migrants, hostile, inaccessible jungles and the peoples rendered homeless, powerless, confused and many turned refugees in their fatherlands. This paper explores the ethno-political, religious manipulation and resultant conflicts among African states. The paper used secondary sources of data and the following were found among others: ethno-religious affiliation is a common feature of typical African states/societies and all issues related to same are very sensitive to Africans; African leaders use the instruments of ethnic and religious differences to achieve political ends; failure of the African states and the leadership to appropriately discharge their obligations has largely contributed to the increased manipulation of religion and ethnicity among African states for it is an easy means of appeal to political support; many have been lured into religious politicking; misuse of religion by politicians has led to excessive ethno-religious and sectional divisions and lack of trust of one another among the various religions and their adherents; use and misuse of religion has heated the polity and electoral matters; youth are the most vulnerable group used in igniting and fuelling such conflicts while women and children fall as the major victims, most political activities are greatly determined and influenced by ethnicity and religion which in the end often result in dysfunctional conflicts in virtually all parts of Africa. Recommendations made include: extensive civic and political education, proper control of religious preaching and other activities, proper regulation of campaigns/political activities, institutionalization and inculcation of national values and integration, de-emphasizing ethno-tribal and religious differences, entrenchment of democracy and good governance, drastic reduction in levels of poverty and more emphasis on provision of social services and amenities to the people, enactment of popularly accepted and just land tenure system among African communities, use of improved and mechanized farming methods and proper orientation by both the African states and societies to the youth.