Ethnic conflict in Africa - Working Paper 1/89

From the social point of view, the study hopes to contribute to the solution of ethnic conflicts in Africa. The need for a solution is urgent because of the pervasiveness of these conflicts, and their destructiveness of African socio-political stability and economic progress. Ethnicity offers a personal solution to the generic problems of exploitation and oppression. Therefore, under certain circumstances, the ethnic element may assume a greater importance than is warranted by its objective role in the scheme of things.
Consequently, every effort is necessary to ensure that ethnic contradictions do not explode out of proportion.