Current Sub-Saharan African Socio-Economic Strategies Derived from Colonial and Postcolonial Experiences

Abstract

Historically, countries in Sub-Saharan Africa were colonized or occupied by foreign countries. But as of today, 2016, the counties are independent and free from foreign political control. This paper traces the steps the countries have followed to pursue self-determination. To do so, specific stages of development have been identified and used to explain the current
economic and political status of these countries. The purpose of this theory, therefore, is to explain how and why the countries in Sub-Sahara are the way they are today. History suggests that their past was marked by specific political episodes as follows:
1) The colonial Era. This was characterized by repression and economic exploitation.
2) The rebellion era.
State #1 above, begat this stage. The colonized were hungry for revenge and had a burning desire to be free. That is why a lot of businesses under colonial control were either confiscated or nationalized with some limited compensation.
3) Liberalization era.
This is the stage during which the countries implemented liberal policies, including exercising a semblance of democratic rule. But political succession has not been well observed. Only Ghana, South Africa and Tanzania have held credible elections that have been deemed free and fair. Many other countries have held regular but sham elections leaving incumbent presidents in place each time. For example, Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe has been in power for almost 40 years and Yoweri Museveni of Uganda has been in power 31 years despite allowing national elections every five years, as the nation's Constitution stipulates.
The above exposition of some historical chronology of events, in the region, helps us understand the causes of instability and erratic political behavior exhibited by most of countries in Sub-Sahara. It should be noted, though, that each of the countries has embarked on some unique economic strategies. Although some counties have been more successful than others. But after experimenting with various strategic options, the countries of Sub-Sahara now have followed examples set by more developed countries and formed political alliances along the line of Europe (The European Economic Community, EEC), Asia (Association of Southeast Asian Nations, ASEAN) and America (North American Free Trade Agreement, NAFTA). Similarly, the East African countries have formed Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) and West African Countries have formed Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). Member states of each of these African alliances are listed in the paper. These alliances, in Africa and elsewhere in the world, are formed to strengthen economic and political strengths of their respective regions. Finally, it can be said, there is tangible evidence that most of Sub-Saharan countries are on a match to political maturity through individual or collaborative effort.