African Political Systems & Conflicts

African Political Systems and Conflicts examines how colonial inheritance, state formation, identity, religion, authoritarian rule, democratization, elections, borders, and regional institutions shape politics across the continent. Using comparative African cases alongside focused examples from Somali territories and the wider Horn of Africa, students investigate why political systems develop differently and why some disputes escalate into interstate or civil conflict while others are peacefully managed through institutions. The course deliberately rejects single-cause explanations, instead emphasizing the interaction of history, institutions, leadership choices, social mobilization, natural resources, and external influence in shaping political outcomes. Structured reading notes, quizzes, discussion questions, and applied case studies develop learners’ ability to compare political systems, analyze the drivers of conflict, and evaluate democratic transitions. Students also assess the African Union’s evolving role in conflict prevention, peace support operations, and post-conflict reconstruction, finishing with practical, transferable tools for interpreting African political change, instability, and reform.