Irredentism and Inter-State Conflicts in Africa in the 20th Century

Abstract

Conflict by definition could be taken to be a situation whereby there exists an irreconcilable difference between two or three or more groups. It is a concept which most African states are familiar with. As a matter of fact, it has come to define, in a broad way, 20th century African politics and relations. Irredentism is also a concept whose practicality is easily noticeable in Africa. Unlike conflict, it is however largely unknown and ignored. The aim of the paper is to clarify the conceptual meaning of irredentism and at the same time to bring to the fore how it has now come to characterize and define conflicts in Africa and the world at large. The emphasis of the paper is going to be on the role irredentism has been playing in the outbreak of recurrent hostilities among African countries, and possible ways of managing and checking its incidence.

Keywords: Conflict, Africa, Irredentism, International Politics