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.