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This analysis addresses the interplay between humanitarianism and sovereignty in postcolonial states, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa.

April 24, 20260 citationsOpen Access

Humanitarianism and Sovereignty: Notes on a Defeat of the Postcolonial State

CKCilas KemedjioConsortium of Universities for Global Health

Key Points

This analysis addresses the interplay between humanitarianism and sovereignty in postcolonial states, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa.
Literature review of key texts on humanitarianism, sovereignty, and human rights.
Contextual analysis of historical and contemporary examples of underdevelopment and starvation.
Examination of the roles played by humanitarian NGOs in political discourse.
Highlights the consequences of the slave trade on sub-Saharan Africa's development.
Identifies starvation as an instrumental tool in regional conflicts like the Biafran war.
Discusses the ethical implications of using human rights language in political decision-making.

Abstract

The only reparation that must be made is to the nations of sub-Saharan Africa, for the total state of underdevelopment into which the slave trade first plunged them: the nations of the Western world do not have a debt to repay here, but rather an immense crime whose consequences must be mitigated, not in the form of charity and donations, but within the perspective of new forms of solidarity that must be fostered between the world’s archipelagos and continents. (Glissant, 2007) Starvation was a Nigerian weapon of war. Starvation broke Biafra fame and made Biafra last as long as it did. … Starvation made Zambia and Tanzania and Ivory Coast and Gabon recognize Biafra. (Adichie, 2007) The humanitarian NGOs were the first international organizations who sought to use the terminology of human rights in an attempt to justify political choices in the language of ethics. (Chandler, 2006)

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