Secessions, majimboism and the federalist debate in Africa: a comparative study of south Sudan, Kenya and Nigeria
Abstract
The study sought to critically analyze the contribution of secessions, majimboism and the
federalism debates to the ethnic conflicts as well as possible solutions to the conflicts in Africa
with a focus Kenya, South Sudan and Nigeria. The study objectives were to establish the views,
roles, and extent in which secessions, majimboism and the federalism provided solutions to the
ethnic conflicts in African countries. This study was grounded on ethno nationalist approach
which emerged in reaction to the modernist position which dominated the study of nationalism.
Descriptive research design was used in the study where both primary and secondary sources
were used to collect data. Interviews were conducted and data was analyzed qualitatively using
content analysis. The study found out that secession could be reconsidered as a solution to ethnic
conflict. The misunderstanding of pluralism and majimboism was a source of ethnic conflicts in
Kenya resulting to the eruption of ethnic clashes in Western, Rift Valley, Nyanza and Coast
provinces. The study also found out that in Nigeria, the federal structure was defective and had
promoted bitter struggles between interests groups to capture the state and its attendant wealth;
and facilitated the emergence of violent ethnic militias.
Publisher
University of Nairobi