Twelfth Global Studies Conference

Abstract

As a result of slave trade from the period of 15th to 18th century in West Africa, with its attendant influx of arms and ammunitions into the sub region, warfare became a prominent feature of pre-colonial West African states. This paper illuminates warfare among West African states during the pre-colonial era. It goes on to accuse importation of arms and ammunitions into the region as a result of Europe’s economic interests as a very important factor which exacerbated wars in the region. It further interrogates the trans-Atlantic slave trade while faulting the claims by the Europeans that its abolition was for humanitarian purposes. It provides analysis on colonialism which became another monster that attacked Africa’s right to non-interference and freedom from any form of subjugation and oppression by other peoples of the world. This work further takes a survey into the various impact and indelible scares left on the sub-region by the trans-Atlantic slave trade, colonialism and neo-colonialism as they have remained a conundrum in the fate of Africa in terms of socio-economic and political development despite several decades after the abolition and decolonisation. this paper unravels the various mechanism and tactics adopted by the Europeans in modern times to ensure that the development they achieved through imperialism viz a viz slavery and colonialism of Africa are therefore sustained or maintained hence, Neo-colonialism.