The Colonial Legacies and their Impact on Current Conflicts and Development in Africa: the Case of Cameroon

In this dissertation, the author explores how colonial legacies have contributed to the dynamics and persistence of current conflicts in the African continent, using a postcolonial approach. They argue that three main factors explain the influence of colonial legacies on contemporary conflicts. First, the imposition of artificial borders that disregarded the pre-existing structures of African societies. Second, the exploitation of natural resources by colonial powers, which resulted in deep economic disparities in the territories of the global south. Lastly, the implantation of governmental structures that followed a Westphalian model, ignoring the authority of local chiefs and traditional governance trends in pre-colonial communities. The author explains how these elements contribute to ongoing conflicts and their subsequent impact on development, illustrating these dynamics through the case study of Cameroon and the Anglophone crisis.