THE SECCESSIONIST MOVEMENTS AND VIOLENCE IN AFRICA: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF NIGERIA AND CAMEROON

Abstract

The paper examined the political exclusion and agitation for self-determination in Nigeria and Cameroon, which shared past colonial experiences. By character, the colonial state in Africa was inherently closed as it did not permit for the inclusion of indigenous groups in the process of making decision that affected them. It is this state that was inherited after the attainment of self-rule without any, if at all little, modification or moderation. This has conditioned the nature of political struggle to fill in the political vacuum left by the colonial masters after independent propelled largely by identity interest. Particularly in the context of shrinking scarce resources. those groups that were able to secure political power exclude others from participating in decision-making process and democratic institutions. The unfolding crisis had not only deepened the differencesamong groups but further created discontent and hatred among various ethnic nationalities.Poor governance and prolonged military rule, in some instances, has worsened the situation by furtherance the discrimination of one group by the others. This provokes discord and violent agitations for better inclusion, and heighten the vociferous demands for self-determination. The paper in its methodology used secondary source of data collection. The paper found that lack of inclusion of groups, denying people’s participation and securing their access to political life, which pose threat to the development of democracy, promotion of national integration and peaceful co-existence among groups in both countries.