European colonialism and its impact on political stability in Africa

Abstract

The African continent is one of the most important continents of the Old World, rich in natural resources. It contributed significantly to the development and progress witnessed in Europe, and also created an external market for European products. For this reason, the African continent became a focus of attention for the major European powers.

Based on the above, Europe moved towards the African continent through a policy of colonial exploration to achieve its goals and gain access to areas rich in natural resources and their strategic location. To achieve this, Europe pursued a colonial foreign policy aimed at controlling regions rich in the raw materials it needed. Europe managed to control the African continent and various aspects of its political, economic, and cultural life, under multiple names, methods, and policies. As a result of this policy, African governments collapsed in the face of the colonial encroachment that afflicted the African continent as a result of the plunder and pillage that affected everything on the continent. Policies in African countries became managed directly by European countries. Despite the independence of the countries of the continent after that, the old colonial legacy on which African countries were formed during the European occupation of the continent became the main driver and controller of the political system in African governments and their various policies, which was clearly reflected on political stability in Africa, the effects of which are still present to this day.