Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Balancing the interaction between political stability, human rights and private investments in the sustainable development process: an ongoing challenge for African governments and their peoples

  • Published:
Environment, Development and Sustainability Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Past and current experiences within many African countries confirm the hypothesis that the interaction between political stability, private investments and human rights is a critical element in the pursuit of sustainable development. Unfortunately, socio-economic and political crises African countries went through (and are still undergoing for some) have often occasioned a negative interaction between these three factors, with the consequence that the sustainable development process of Africa is yet slow comparatively to other developing regions in the world. Thus, in order to find the way forward, Africa needs more than ever before an effective leadership with rulers that are able to implement good governance principles in the functioning of the political system and also the participation of citizens, as far as possible, to public decision-making in respect of questions directly relevant to the sustainable development.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

Notes

  1. For instance, in the mid-1800s, it is reported that United States already stood as one of the largest recipients of foreign investments.

  2. For ethnic conflicts, see for instance, the historical case of the Hutu and Tsutsi in Rwanda which ended in genocide (1994), with approximately 800,000 people being killed, and the more recent case of black Africans and Arab Africans in the Darfur conflict in Sudan (2003–2011), where up to 200,000 civilians were reported killed. For religious conflicts see, for instance, the conflict between Muslims and Christians in Chad and Nigeria.

  3. See the case of Ghana where, after a long cycle of putsches, elections have succeeded in bringing a minimum level of political stability to the country, with positive impacts on the economy of Ghana (African Economic Outlook 2011/2012).

References

  • Académie de droit international de la Haye. (1998). Receuil des cours (Collected courses). Hague: Martinus Nijhoff Publishers.

  • Aderinwale, A., & Ajayi, O. (2010). Security, stability, democracy and sustainable development in Africa. Paper presented at the AFRICANDO 2010: Focusing on the Stability/Security Nexus to Development, Miami, Florida, September 28, 2010.

  • Afoaku, O. G. (2005). Linking democracy and sustainable development in Africa. In O. Ukaga & O. G. Afoaku (Eds.), Sustainable development in Africa (pp. 23–56). Trenton: Africa World Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • African Economic Outlook. (2012). Available at http://www.africaneconomicoutlook.org/en/. Accessed 22 Sept 2012.

  • African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights. (ACHPR). (1981).

  • African Commission Communication 276/2003-Centre for Minority Rights Development (Kenya) and Minority Rights Groups International on behalf of Endoris Welfare Council v Kenya (ACHPR).

  • African Commission Communication 155/96 SERAC & CESR v Nigeria (ACHPR).

  • Ake, C. (1975). Definition of political stability. Comparative Politics, 2, 271–283.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Alesina, A., Ozler, S., Roubini, N., & Swage, P. (1996). Political instability and economic growth. Available at http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/BF00138862. Accessed 22 Sept 2012.

  • Alesina, A., & Perotti, R. (1996). Income distribution, political instability, and investment. European Economic Review, 40, 1203–1228.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Algan, B. (2004). Rethinking ‘third generation’ human rights. Ankara Law Review, 1(1), 122–155.

    Google Scholar 

  • Amensty International. (1999). No political stability without respect for human rights. Available at http://www.unhcr.org/refworld/publisher,AMNESTY,,TGO,3ae6a9c60,0.html. Accessed 22 Sept 2012.

  • Arko-Cobbah, A. (2010). Promoting sustainable development in Africa: Civil society and access to information. Paper presented at the world library and information congress: 76th IFLA general conference and assembly (10-5/8/2010), pp. 1–16.

  • Azinge, E. (1992). Millstone decision on human rights. In A. U. Kalu & Y. Osinbajo (Eds.), Perspective on human rights (pp. 196–216). Lagos, Federal Ministry of Justice.

  • Badcock, J. (2 March, 2011). Can Morocco and Algeria long remain exceptions? The DailySstar Lebanon. Available at http://www.dailystar.com.lb/Opinion/Commentary/Mar/02/Can-Morocco-and-Algeria-long-remain-exceptions.ashx#axzz1dmeXjZ7a. Accessed 15 Nov 2011.

  • Basu, A., Calamitsis, E. A., & Ghura D. (2000). Promoting growth in Sub-Saharan Africa: Learning what works. IMF Working Paper.

  • Basu, A., & Srinivasan, K. (2002). Foreign direct investment in Africa: Some case studies. IMF Working Paper, 02(61), 1–40.

    Google Scholar 

  • Becchi, P. (2011). Our responsibility towards future generation. In K. Mathis (Ed.), Efficiency, sustainability, and justice to future generations (pp. 77–96). London, New York: Springer.

    Google Scholar 

  • Berthélemy, J. C., Kauffmann, C., Renard, L., & Wegner, L. (2002). Political instability, political regimes and economic performance in African countries (pp. 15–16). Available at http://www.csae.ox.ac.uk/conferences/2002-UPaGiSSA/papers/Kauffmann-csae2002.pdf. Accessed 15 Sept 2011.

  • Boesen, K. J., & Sano, H. O. (2010). The implications and value added of human rights-based approach. In B. A. Andreassen & S. P. Marks (Eds.), Development as a human right: Legal, political and economic dimensions (2nd ed., pp. 45–70). Antwerp: Intersentia.

    Google Scholar 

  • Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment Act, 2003 (Government Gazette, 9 January 2004).

  • Campbell, A. (2006). Planting the seed of growth: The effects of political stability on economic growth in Fujimori’s Peru from 1990 to 2000. Available at http://citation.allacademic.com//meta/p_mla_apa_research_citation/1/7/8/5/6/pages178568/p178568-1.php. Accessed 22 Sept 2012.

  • Chundnovsky, D., & Lopez, A. (2002). Globalisation, foreign direct investment and sustainable human development. In K. P. Gallagher & J. Werskman (Eds.), The Earthscan reader on international trade and sustainable development (pp. 45–76). London: Earthscan.

    Google Scholar 

  • Crumper, P. (1999). Human rights: History, development and classification. In A. Hegarty, & S. Leonard (Eds.), Human rights: An agenda for the 21st century (pp. 1–14).

  • Dibwe, M. (2006). L’universite de Lubumbashi dans la tourmente (1990–2006). Available at web.univ-pau.fr/RECHERCHE/CREPAO/pdf/Kampala_dibwe.pdf. Accessed 29 Sept 2012.

  • DR Congo Parliament. (2006). Official report: Assemblee Nationale Commission Spéciale chargée de l’examen de la validité des Conventions à caractère économique et financier conclues pendant les guerres de 1996–1997 et de 1998. Available at http://www.congonline.com/documents/Rapport_Lutundula_pillage_2006.pdf. Accessed 29 Sept 2012.

  • Easterly, W., & Levine, R. (1997). Africa’s growth tragedy: Policies and ethnic divisions. The Quarterly Journal of Economics, 112(4), 1203–1250.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Esty, D. C. (2002). Bridging the trade-environment divide’. In K. P. Gallagher & Ja Werksman (Eds.), International trade and sustainable development (pp. 113–130). London: Earthscan.

    Google Scholar 

  • Export. (2012). http://export.by/en/?act=news&mode=view&page=6&id=13121.

  • Global witness, Global witness salue la publication d’un rapport de l’ONU mettant en évidence le lien entre les minerais et le conflit en RDC et demande la fin de l’impunité á l’égard des crimes (2010). Available at http://www.globalwitness.org/fr/library/global-witness-salue-la-publication-dun-rapport-de-lonu-mettant-en-%C3%A9vidence-le-lien-entre. Accessed 22 Sept 2012.

  • Gosh, N. (2008). The road from economic growth to sustainable development: How was it traversed? Available at http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CCEQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpapers.ssrn.com%2Fsol3%2Fpapers.cfm%3Fabstract_id%3D1082686&ei=tOJuUJyDGYuo8QT41YHAAQ&usg=AFQjCNGRTc-RuJTWw0aaUEbz_y-EStljew&sig2=b3ZQgWIAftxV-EpxnC2OPw. Accessed 22 Sept 2012.

  • Gyimah-Brempong, K., & Traynor, T. T. (1999). Political instability, investment and economic growth in Sub-Saharan Africa. Journal of African Economies, 8(1), 52–86.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hallowel, J. H. (1988). Les fondements de la democratie. Chicago, London: Nouveaux Horizons.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hanson, S. (2012). Corruption in Sub-Saharan Africa. Available at http://www.cfr.org/democracy-and-human-rights/corruption-sub-saharan-africa/p19984. Accessed on 16 Feb 2012.

  • Heritage Foundation. (2012). Available at http://www.heritage.org/index/country/northkorea. Accessed 22 Sept 2012.

  • Human Rights Watch. (2007). The human rights impact of local government corruption and mismanagement in Rivers states, Nigeria. (Human Rights Watch, 2007) 1, Report available at http://www.hrw.org/en/reports/2007/01/30/chop-fine. Accessed on 18 June 2011.

  • Iheduru, O. M. (Ed.). (2001). Contending issues in African development: Advances, challenges, and the future. Westport: Greenwood Publishing Group.

    Google Scholar 

  • IMF Data Mapper. (2012). Available at http://www.imf.org/external/datamapper/index.php. Accessed 22 Sept 2012.

  • Kitula, A. G. N. (2006). The environmental and socio-economic impacts of mining on local livelihoods in Tanzania: A case study of Geita district. Journal of cleaner production, 14, 405–414.

    Google Scholar 

  • Knutsen, C. H. (2010). Africa’s growth tragedy revisited: Weak states, strong rulers. http://folk.uio.no/carlhk/tirsdagssem/CHK.pdf. Accessed 22 Sept 2012.

  • Mathis, K. (2011). Future generation in John Rawl’s theory of justice. In K. Mathis (Ed.), Efficiency, sustainability, and justice to future generations, (pp. 97–112). London, New York: Springer.

  • Mbaye, K. (1992). Les droits de l’Homme en Afrique. Paris: Pedone.

  • Meagher, C. (2008). China’s fifth modernization: The enduring hope for democratic governance. In J. Kinsman & K. Bassuener (Eds.), A diplomat’s handbook for democracy development support (2nd ed., pp. 97–127). Washington DC: Council for a Community of Democracies.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mumo, U. T., Kavwanga, Y., & Fox, T. (2005). How can corporate social responsibility deliver in Africa? Insights from Kenya and Zambia. Perspectives on Corporate Responsibility for Environment and Development, (3), 1–5. Available at http://pubs.iied.org/pdfs/16006IIED.pdf. Accessed 22 Sept 2012.

  • Ong’ayo, A. O. (2008). Political instability in Africa: Where the problem lies and alternative perspectives. Presented at the Symposium 2008: “Afrika: een continent op drift” Organised by Stichting Nationaal Erfgoed Hotel De Wereld Wageningen, 19th of September, 2008 http://www.diaspora-centre.org/DOCS/Political_Instabil.pdf. Accessed 22 Sept 2012.

  • Ortiz, A. E. (2012). Economic growth and sustainable development: An incompatibility in practice. Available at http://globaltransition2012.org/2012/03/economic-growth-and-sustainable-development-an-incompatibility-in-practice/. Accessed 22 Sept 2012.

  • Paldam, M. (1998). Does economic growth lead to political stability? Volatility, Uncertainty, Instability and Growth, 171–190.

  • Pieter de Wet. (2012). Angola, Ghana and Nigeria—the investment darlings of Africa. Available at http://www.cover.co.za/news/angola-ghana-and-nigeria-the-investment-darlings-of-africa. Accessed 22 Sept 2012.

  • Reno, W. (2000). The real (war) economy of Angola—Institute for Security Studies. Available at https://www.google.com/search?hl=en&biw=1280&bih=569&noj=1&sclient=psy-ab&q=The+real+%28war%29+economy+of+Angola+-+Institute+for+Security+Studies&oq=The+real+%28war%29+economy+of+Angola+-+Institute+for+Security+Studies&gs_l=serp.12…0.0.0.56648.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0..0.0.les%3B..0.0…1c.u0eb5O4ZmCw Accessed 22 Sept 2012.

  • Sabour, S. A. A. (2007). Sustainable development in oil extraction: The rights of future generations. In B. A. Larsen (Ed.), Sustainable development research advances (pp. 235–253). New York: Nova Publisher.

    Google Scholar 

  • Santiso, C. (2001). International co-operation for democracy and good governance: moving toward a second generation? European Journal of Development Research, 13(1), 154–180.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schwartz, M. S. (2011). Corporate social responsibility: An ethical approach. Ontario, New York: Broadview Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sharma, B. K. (1989). Political stability in India. New Delhi: Mittal Publications.

    Google Scholar 

  • Skinner, E. P. (1998). African political cultures and the problems of government. African studies quarterly, 2, 17–25.

  • Sornarajah, M. (2010). The international law on foreign investment (3rd ed.). New York: Cambridge University Press.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Subedi, S. P. (1998). Foreign investment and sustainable development. In F. Weiss, E. Denters, & P. de Waart (Eds.), Towards an international economic law with a human face (pp. 413–428). The Hague: Kluwer Law International.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ukpore, B. A. (2009). Sustainable development in Nigeria: Roles of women and strategies for their improvement. Journal of Sustainable Development in Africa, 10(4), 268–283.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ulloa, A., Katz, F., & Kekeh, N. (2009). Democratic Republic of the Congo: A study of binding constraints. Harvard.

  • United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). (1991). World Investment Report (UNCTAD 1991).

  • United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). (2001). World Investment Report (UNCTAD, 2001).

  • United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). (2011). World Investment Report (UNCTAD, 2011).

  • United Nations Development Program (UNDP). (2010–2011). Annual Report People-centred development empowered lives—resilient nations.

  • United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). (2011). Human Development Index (UNDP 2011).

  • United Nations Economic Commission on Africa (UNECA). (2011). Sustainable development report on Africa: Managing land-based resources for sustainable development (UNECA, 2011).

  • United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). (2011). Environmental Assessment of Ogoniland.

  • United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (UN OHCHR). (2010). Report of the Mapping Exercise documenting the most serious violations of human rights and international humanitarian law committed within the territory of the Democratic Republic of the Congo between March 1993 and June 2003 (UN OHCHR 2010).

  • United Nations. (2008). Final report of the UN group of experts on the DRC.

  • United Nations. (2001). Report of the Panel of Experts on the Illegal Exploitation of Natural Resources and Other Forms of Wealth of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (UN 2001).

  • United Nations Security Council. (2012). Report: Addendum to the interim report of the Group of Experts on the Democratic Republic of the Congo (S/2012/348) concerning violations of the arms embargo and sanctions regime by the Government of Rwanda (UN 2012).

  • Vasak, K. (1977). Human rights: A thirty-year struggle: the sustained efforts to give force of law to the Universal Declaration of Human rights. UNESCO Courier 30, Paris: UNESCO.

  • Vissar, W. (2006). Business frontiers: Social responsibility, sustainable development and economic justice. Punjanguta: ICFAI Books.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vlaenderen, H., & Neves, D. (2004). Activity as a framework for psychological research and practice in developing society. In D. Hook (Ed.), Critical psychology, (pp. 425–444). Capetown: University of Capetown.

  • Wafure, O. G., & Nurudeen, A. (2010). Determinants of foreign direct investment in Nigeria: An empirical analysis. GJHSS, 10, 26–34.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wilkins, M. (1991). Foreign investments in the US economy before 1914. Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, 516, 9–21.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • World Bank. (2012). Development indicators and global development finance. Available at http://databank.worldbank.org/data/Databases.aspx. Accessed 23 Aug 2012.

  • Worger, W. H., & Byrnes, R. M. (2012). History of South Africa (Part 2: The Republic of South Africa: 1961–present). Available at http://www.nationsonline.org/oneworld/History/South-Africa-history2.htm. Accessed 22 Sept 2012.

  • World Commission on Environment and Development (WCED). (1987). Our common future.

  • Worldmark Encyclopedia of Nations. (2007).

Download references

Acknowledgments

The author wishes to thank and express his appreciation to Professor Andre Mangu from the Department of Public, Constitutional and International law at the University of South Africa, for his continuous encouragement to publish at the international level, and the two anonymous reviewers for their many helpful insights, corrections, criticism, encouraging comments, and suggestions. Nonetheless, views expressed here are endorsed by the author himself.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Public, Constitutional and International Law, University of South Africa (UNISA), Preller Street/Muckleneuk, P O Box 392, Pretoria, 0003, South Africa

    Christian-Junior N. Kabange

Authors
  1. Christian-Junior N. Kabange
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Christian-Junior N. Kabange.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Kabange, CJ.N. Balancing the interaction between political stability, human rights and private investments in the sustainable development process: an ongoing challenge for African governments and their peoples. Environ Dev Sustain 15, 743–764 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10668-012-9404-2

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10668-012-9404-2

Keywords

Search

Navigation