Energy is indispensable to global economic development and human development. Through the course of history, different energy sources have been used to fuel economic growth and better human life. The fossil economy fuelled unprecedented economic growth that was not possible with previous energy epochs. The development brought about by fossil fuels has not been beneficial for all and this paper argues that fossil fuel energy sources; specifically oil and gas have had more of negative political and socio-cultural implications for Africa. Using secondary data sources from books, articles and reports, the study finds out that oil resources have helped is sustaining dictatorships and socioeconomic hardship in oil producing countries in Africa.
The end of the Cold War saw a shift in power dynamics globally, changing the security dynamics of many regions globally including those in Africa. With the security void left by these great powers in Africa, regional hegemons have played significant roles in promoting regional peace and stability. Regional hegemons have greatly helped to sustain peace and stability in the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and Southern African Development Community (SADC), but this has not been the case in the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS). This paper seeks reasons why no hegemon (dominant state) exists in the ECCAS region. The study analyses the material resource capacities of regional members and argues that a multiplicity of regional groupings, internal political instability, economic challenges and the neo-colonial hand of France accounts for the absence of a hegemon in the region.
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