East African Politics, Modern History, and International Relations
Beginning around the 1960s, countries in Africa began to earn their independence from the European countries that colonized them. Kenya and Uganda were both colonized by Great Britain, and Somalia was split, where Italy possessed the majority of the land, and Great Britain colonized the northernmost part of the land. The area that is now the country of Tanzania was colonized by Germany, but after World War I, Great Britain gained possession of the land up until Tanzania won its independence.
The current government structures in Africa were heavily influenced by the colonizing European countries, as seen in the way elections are held, constitutions were written, and how branches are separated, for example. This chapter will examine each of the four countries’ structures of governments, how their officials are elected, who the current politicians are, and what the current national issues are for each country.
Zooming out from local and national governments, this chapter will also discuss the current international issues among the four countries and the surrounding area. Current issues include rebels in Uganda and militia in Somalia pushing refugees to Kenya to seek asylum; pirates threaten the Indian Ocean coastline, and these countries are also affected by the struggle in Sudan. One particular conflict affecting Kenya is the area called the Ilemi Triangle, a piece of land that touches Kenya, Sudan, and Ethiopia. There is an ongoing struggle over which country owns this land, a struggle that will be looked at in-depth.
Studying the continent of Africa provides a richer understanding of the world as a whole, as each country has relations with other countries and histories that affect the present-day. By studying the government, modern history, and international relations of Somalia, Tanzania, Kenya, and Uganda, it will not only provide an understanding of this region but also Africa and the world at large.
Below is a video that provides global context for decolonization, including some African countries. Watching it will provide a good worldwide background for the topics covered in this chapter, which will zoom in to focus specifically on East Africa.
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- Introduction Jennifer Coronado