The Dynamics and Complexities of Natural Resources and Conflicts in Angola

Abstract

The chapter argues that the process of natural resources extraction qualifies as the most visible cause of conflicts and crises around the world. This is quite understandable given that a resource is a gift of nature; and nature is that phenomenon that every human, group and nation claims to represent, or, believe to represent them. Natural resources therefore are considered as the resources of and for all. However, following the social conflicts that emerged after the period of homoeostatic equilibrium and subsequent commencement of ownership of private property, alienation has overtaken natural resources that used to belong to all, at least theoretically, and both the state and non-state actors have been culpable in alienating others from the resource of nature. Natural resource actors include the state, indigenes, and multinational companies and so on, and conflicts often emerge when there is clash of interest among them. Thus, in Africa, for example, natural resources have generated war and conflicts in Nigeria, Democratic Republic of Congo, South Africa and Angola to mention a few. These conflicts have led to loss of lives, internal displacement of huge parts of populations, refugees and asylum seekers that have become burdens on other nations around the world, as well as many international organizations. The natural resources related conflicts can be seen to be pronounced in Africa, its effects and consequences are intertwined among nations of the world. Even multinational companies that deal in them, from what their name implies, are representatives of the business interests of many nations and are often not neutral in wars and conflicts generated by natural resources. Thus, this chapter focused on the dynamics and complexities associated with natural resources in Angola. It found that natural resource conflict has led to multiple forms of resource curse, which undermined nation building in Angola.