JOURNALS

ABSTRACT

Africa is bounded by the Atlantic Ocean to the west, the Indian Ocean to the east, the Mediterranean Sea to the north and made up of about 54 countries with multi-ethnic groups and languages. Some of these ethnic groups are found in other countries of Africa creating the theory of unity in diversity. The blight of Africa’s development lies in ethnicity and insecurity. Ethnicity is the root cause of political, economic, health, education, religious, ethical instability, lawlessness, corruption, criminality and unruly murder of innocent citizens. Africa has prospects and human capacity needed to compete with other continents of the world but forestalled by ethnicity. In identifying and explaining controversies surrounding Ethnicity and Security Issues in Africa and how it is considered the blight of Africa’s development requires qualitative and sociological approach in pointing out strengths and weaknesses of Africa in Human Security and Peace Building. The purpose of this study is to reawaken the consciousness of Africans to understand that the spirit of ethnic discord planted by colonial administrators was to deter them from having a common identity and unity to compete favourably with other continents without interference, intimidation or humiliation. There is no victim in the world except when people allowed themselves to be victimized as Africans have victimized themselves. Xenophobia in Africa has led to the victimization of Africans in Diaspora because Africans placed no value on themselves. This paper recommends nationalism and patriotism, a redesign of African political, economic, health, education, religion, ethical theories and ideologies of Africa that depicts communalism and consequential theories of actions and shuns selfishness and insensitive behaviours. Notably, ethnicity and insecurity have remained the blight to Africa’s development in post-colonial era which indicates that Africa has not moved out imposed theories and ideologies because they are divided on ethnicity and religion which breed insecurity. No society can develop effectively where ethnicity and religion is considered above other factors.