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A History of Resource Plunder

Tetteh Hormeku-Ajei and Camden Goetz
Post-Colonialisms Today: postcolonialisms.regionsrefocus.org, 2021
Level: beginner
Perspective: Other
Topic: Criticism of Capitalism, Globalization & International Economic Relations, Microeconomics & Markets, North-South-Relations & Development, Race & Gender, Resources, Environment & Climate, Social movements & Transformation
Format: Comment
Link: https://africasacountry.com/2021/04/a-history-of-resource-plunder

In this article, Tetteh Hormeku-Ajei and Camden Goetz discuss the ongoing impacts of colonialism on Africa’s natural resources. Over time, colonial processes have limited African economies to primary commodity export dependence, through the devaluation of their natural resources. This is a complete shift from the African political, economic, and social structures that once centered the needs of the people. Early post independence leaders recognized the importance of having a self-sufficient economy, and actively worked towards reasserting sovereignty over Africa’s natural resources. While this project was impeded through neoliberal policies which continue to limit African economies today, lessons from this period are crucial to further the struggle against current neoliberal structures.

Comment from our editors:

This article is part of the "Reclaiming Africa’s Early Post-Independence History" series at Africa is a Country.

Go to: A History of Resource Plunder

Tags: commons | development | markets | mining | neoliberalism | racism | raw materials | sovereignty | trade
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Level: beginner
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Tracing Primary Commodity Export Dependence
Tetteh Hormeku-Ajei, member of the Post-Colonialisms Today Working Group, provides insight on the history of primary commodity export dependence in Africa, and relates it to the difficulties African governments are facing finding necessary resources to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic.
Tetteh Hormeku- Ajei
Post-Colonialisms Today: postcolonialisms.regionsrefocus.org
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Reclaiming Africa’s Early Post-Independence History
This article introduces the series, “Reclaiming Africa’s Early Post- Independence History,'' from Post-Colonialisms Today. It explores the policies and thinking of African governments in the early post-independence period, and the lessons for today’s struggles for political and economic agency on the continent.
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