"The United Nations' Human Development Index (HDI) shows how precarious the situation is: eight of the former 14 colonies including Sahel nations Chad, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger rank near the bottom of the HDI, classified in the "low human development" category. Matthias Basedau, director of the GIGA Institute for African Affairs in Hamburg, told DW there is a unique set of reasons for each country. In many areas, the land is not arable."
"Raw materials only provide limited wealth. High birthrates put more strain on economies already battling severe unemployment. But adding to this vicious cycle, says Basedau, is "political instability, which leads to conflict, and conflicts brakes development. And paused development leads to renewed conflict." Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger underwent military coups, after the civilian governments failed to break the cycle."
Many francophone African countries mark 65 years of independence since 1960, including Nigeria, Somalia and the Democratic Republic of Congo. France granted self-determination to 14 colonies, yet relations with France are currently strained. Eight of those 14 former colonies rank in the United Nations' "low human development" category, including Chad, Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger. Contributing factors include poor arable land, limited wealth from raw materials, high birthrates and severe unemployment. Political instability fuels conflict and stalls development, creating a vicious cycle. Military coups have occurred in Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger. French military efforts such as Operation Barkhane faced persistent Islamist insurgencies, and some juntas now rely on weaker Russian mercenary forces.
Read at www.dw.com
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