Literature
Political instability
Political instability continues to be the breeding ground for conflict in less developed countries because weakened governance structures and immature political institutions foster an environment that supports many disputes (Schleussner et al., 2016). Thickening public belief in the government’s capability to satisfy its citizens may cause social tension and discontent. These unresolved grievances can boil over into outright conflict, driven by the notion that peaceful mechanisms of addressing concerns have failed.
Moreover, there are no strong political institutions and mentionable transparent, accountable systems that prevent power abuse or corruption. Eke (2014) suggests officials take advantage of their positions for selfish purposes; resentment among the citizenry builds up and provides a turbulent background against which conflicts can occur. According to BBC (2021), corruption takes away resources from public welfare and the legitimacy of government institutions, which usually leads to opposition and resistance movements.
Political instability is also demonstrated through power struggles, changes in leadership, and coups d’état – this only increases the chances of conflict (Eke, 2014). Economic activities are constantly jeopardized by constant upheavals that hamper foreign investment, thus creating a never-ending circle of instability in which conflicts can thrive.
The 2010 coup in Niger led by Colonel Salou Djibo is another example of the political instability that disrupts established order (BBC, 2021). Governance was weak, and corruption fueled public discontent, leading to the coup. This sudden leadership change mirrors how political vagaries can drive dramatic changes, hinder development, and establish a vicious cycle of instability, economic breakdowns, and possible war.
Economic Challenges:
High levels of poverty, unemployment, and suspension from AGOA have contributed to high levels of economic challenges that create an environment for social discontent in Niger (world bank, 2020). If a large population segment cannot meet basic needs and has limited economic prospects, tension can escalate into famine. World Bank(2020) suggests that Social unrest in the form of protests and demonstrations often manifests this discontent as people look for ways to enact change.
The withdrawal of aid from international financial institutions further compounded the economic difficulties encountered by Niger. This sudden cut-off of financial aid crippled the capacity of the country to deal with basic problems such as poverty eradication and development in infrastructure. According to Ogbonne (2019), when the economic situation is not improving, people may see little hope of improvement in their lot and feel that their government cannot help them or perhaps does not want to; this fosters a climate of suspicion and irritation which augurs social conflict.
Furthermore, economic troubles, especially if paired with political upheaval caused by a coup, can heighten the stomach within society. Financial crises and the feeling that governance is not working effectively can create a volatile environment, which may escalate into conflict (Ogbonne, 2019).
Resource Scarcity:
The scarcity of resources is the main driver for conflicts, especially in less developed countries where competition over essential needs becomes a primary cause of tension. The shortage of water and land fertile enough to yield crops and minerals intensifies other problems already afflicting the communities, forcing them to scramble for these vital necessities (Jong, 2015). In areas characterized by glaring ethnic or tribal divisions, the competition for resources goes beyond mere economic struggle; it becomes a part of social and political animosities.
Niger is a poignant example of how scarcity of resources can trigger conflict. The country’s dry weather and high reliance on farming cause it to become susceptible to increased pressures related to resources. The water, essential for agricultural productivity and even everyday survival, has evolved scarce. According to Jong (2015), the lack can make communities compete for the limited resources necessary to live, which may even escalate into conflicts that strain their balance of what exists.
The fact that countries such as Niger are very vulnerable to conflicts based on a lack of adequate resources only highlights just how much environmental and economic issues drive each other. As the economy is dominantly agricultural, any disturbance in resource availability or provision of water and arable land intensifies livelihoods (Okpaleke & Ezenwa, 2023). Where ethnic or tribal affiliations are strong in areas where such alliances pertain, resource-related resource-related conflicts become interwoven into the fabric of existing social dynamics, creating more instability (Schleussner et al., 2016).
Humanitarian consequences:
Armed conflicts in less developed countries have terrible effects on the humanitarian world, and their echoes hit all across affected people. The masses flee from violence and insecurity, and the mass movement of communities is a very immediate, tangible manifestation. The development of IDPs or refugees expresses people’s need for security and sustainability. Such forced movements inevitably cause disruptions in an established settlement, affecting resources and making life even harder for the poorer parts of less developed places (Abrahamsen, 2013). Abrahamsen (2013) suggests that losing homes and jobs becomes a harsh reality for many who are left in the chaos of war, making them more susceptible to victimization. As their vulnerability hits a new high, there is a need for immediate humanitarian aid.
Armed conflicts, apart from the physical dislocation, also lead to chaos in terms of social organization. Basic services like education, healthcare, and governance are often disrupted, undermining society’s pillars (Macginty & Williams, 2016). Macginty and Williams (2016) suggest that families and communities disintegrate as individuals lose sight of normalcy in a relentless pursuit of immediate survival, destroying an institution whose integrity forms the basis of social harmony. Not only does this complicate short-term recovery efforts, but the longer-term implications make amenities unable to rebuild forestanding after conflict.
The 2010 coup in Niger is a moving case study that shows how the decisions of politicians can affect people’s lives—the aftermath is characterized by a compelling humanitarian crisis of over 100 (Ajala, 2023). The situation highlights the complex relationship between various political factors and their humanitarian consequences, accentuating an urgent necessity to find a comprehensive and sustainable way of overcoming conflicts simultaneously.
External Influence:
Conflicts in less developed countries are also often ignited by outside influence on them because this is when one can use the vulnerabilities of these nations to one’s advantage. According to BBC (2021 ), the recent suspension of Niger from the African Union due to a coup demonstrates how external actors can fuel internal turmoil. In this regard, international criticism means punitive actions that not only enhance the difficulties of any country but also cause conflicts to be born there. Introducing sanctions or suspensions may increase political tensions, resulting in additional unrest and resistance by local populations.
Opportunistic external actors often take advantage of weaknesses that are intrinsic to less developed nations, such as poor governance structures, institutional instability issues, economic overreliance, and societal unrest (Agbiboa, 2014). By exploiting these weaknesses, outside forces unknowingly help destabilize political and economic environments, providing a fertile ground for conflicts. Agbiboa (2014) suggests that geopolitical interventions, not necessarily linked to the desires of local people, may generate resentment and hostility that can further the internal fighting.
Repercussions of external disturbance go beyond political chaos to incorporate economic upheaval and social agitation. The establishment of trade relationships, undermining natural resources and monetary purposes by foreign actors could escalate economic disparity that frustrates the citizenry (Hegre, 2014). The treatment of foreign intervention by the people as trespassing on sovereignty could undermine social peace, which, if push comes to shove, can degenerate into violent conflicts that hinder rather than promote social and economic development.
Social Inequality:
Social inequality, especially in the form of high poverty levels within societies, is one of the major contributors to conflicts. 2010 onset of humanitarian crisis in Niger following the coup, and over 10 000 people were displaced (Ebiede, 2017). It represents a reality that emanates from such differences can leave millions starving.” When necessities such as food, shelter, and health care are unavailable to people, discontent breeds a volatile environment that could easily break out into social turmoil.
Social inequality creates an acute feeling of unjustness among the oppressed majority. The political crises can additionally deepen the human crisis through economic gaps, limitations in accessing education, and uneven distribution of resources that cause frustration, especially for Niger people (Hegre, 2014). Disempowered communities are seldom involved in decision-making processes, which displays marginalization further to individuals and boosts them toward dissent.
Limited Access to Education:
Conflicts are also significantly perpetuated by the limited education in less wealthy countries, as they promote stupidity, apathy, and susceptibility to manipulation. In societies with limited access to education, a significant part of the population becomes deprived and incapable of acquiring knowledge and skills for meaningful political involvement (Kevin. TownTown, 2017). Authoritarian leaders can take advantage of this informational gap so that the masses do not know what is happening around them as they maintain power mainly through manipulation.
With proper education, people are able to identify their rights and obligations as citizens; this, in turn, hampers possibilities for fundamental thinking meant to question authority or evaluate political decisions (Kevin. town, 2017). So, according to Kevin.town (2017), such a lack of awareness results in a passive or uninvolved population, providing an atmosphere for the ascendance of authoritarian leaders who can manipulate public perception and narratives to their advantage.
Moreover, According to BBC (2021 ) reports, restricted education opportunities lead to poor civic activity as most Niger citizens tend to ignore democratic processes such as voting, advocacy, or involvement in the community. Political apathy leaves a vacuum filled by authoritarian leaders who grab power without substantial resistance(Kevin. town, 2017). Without an enlightened public, conflicts are likely to be violent because the population may opt for destructive ways of expressing dissatisfaction, agitating society, and creating instability.
Poverty:
Poverty most often turns into the catalyst of conflict, especially in countries like Niger, where economic challenges and income disparities are prevalent. The widespread absence of economic opportunities and resources contributes to resentment within marginalized communities (Braithwaite et al., 2014). Tollefsen (2017)suggests that when people cannot provide for the means of survival, a feeling of desperation springs up to offer an easy and fertile ground in which armed groups could use their recruitment endeavors.
In Niger, According to BBC (2021 ), such groups as Mouvement des Nigériens pour la Justice (MNJ take advantage of the dissatisfaction that these communities have by promising them a better future and profiting from their complaints. Runs for resources: Areas capable of providing plenty of raw materials, like the Agadez desert, are drained and become focal points in wars as rebel groups battle to gain control and request fair distribution.
Poverty not only aggravates the problems of concentration in wealth or social inequality but also undermines trust in governmental institutions to the extent that those who are poor tend to believe armed resistance can resolve their economic grievances (Braithwaite et al., 2014). In turn, poverty creates a motivational factor behind conflicts as oppressed people strive for more means of empowerment and economic fairness. It is, therefore, important to address poverty to avoid the outbreak and escalation of conflicts in regions that are vulnerable due to what they have not.
In conclusion, this susceptibility of less developed countries to armed conflicts is due to a complicated web of interrelated factors. Niger, as a case study, shows, in living color, how poverty coupled with political instability and economic challenges; resource scarcity and external influences combined with social inequality, and limited access to education are all interconnected, which make such an environment volatile enough for precipitating conflict. It is, therefore, highly necessary to take measures that will thoroughly address these root causes for stability and sustainable development. Efforts should be directed at governance, inclusive economic policies, equitable resource distribution, and inculcation in education. Moreover, when one minimizes the cause of others and promotes social equality, one avoids conflicts. Identifying the intricate relationships between development and disputes is a milestone in designing peace-inclusive efforts and handling numerous problems in “less developed countries.” This can only come about through a comprehensive and cooperative approach; once its instability stop-gap cycles are quelled in these crisis zones of the international community, a stable bottom will be laid upon which to build before prosperity recurs.
References
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