Identity, Citizenship, and Political Conflict in Africa [Hardcover]

Reflecting on the processes of nation-building and citizenship formation in Africa, Edmond J. Keller believes that although some deep parochial identities have eroded, they have not disappeared and may be more assertive than previously thought, especially in instances of political conflict. Keller reconsiders how national identity has been understood in Africa and presents new approaches to identity politics, intergroup relations, state-society relations, and notions of national citizenship and citizenship rights. Focusing on Nigeria, Ethiopia, Cote d'Ivoire, Kenya, and Rwanda, he lays the foundation for a new understanding of political transition in contemporary Africa.

Most certainly, Identity, Citizenship, and Political Conflict in Africa is a useful publication, which contributes to the disciplines of African studies, history, and politics and should benefit students, general readers, and scholars with interdisciplinary academic interests.

Preface
Part I. Citizenship and Political Conflict in Contemporary Africa
1. Identity, Citizenship, and Nation Building in Africa
2. Theoretical and Formal-Legal Dimensions of the Concept of Citizenship in Africa
3. Toward an Analytical Framework of Identity and Citizenship in Africa

Part II. Identity Politics and Selected Cases in Conflict over Citizenship Rights in Africa
4. Nigeria: Indigeneity and Citizenship
5. Ethiopia: The Politics of Late Nation Building and the National Question
6. C?te dIvoire: Ivorit? and Citizenship
7. Kenya: Citizenship, Land, and Ethnic Cleansing
8. Rwanda: Exclusionary Nationalism, Democracy, and Genocide
Summary and Conclusion: Identity, Citizenship, and Social Conflict

Notes
References
Index

Keller shows a strong understanding of the political dynamics at play in the discourse around identity and citizenship in Africa. He does not declare a one-size-fit-all attitude in his analysis of the various countries used as case studies. Bylã¥