CONTEMPORARY ETHNOPOLITICAL CONFLICTS IN AFRICA AND ASIA: CAUSES, DYNAMICS, AND CONSEQUENCES (A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS)

Abstract

The article offers an in-depth comparative analysis of contemporary ethnopolitical conflicts in Africa and Asia, which remain key loci of global instability and significantly shape political architectures, humanitarian security, and regional development models. The study systematizes the principal structural, political, economic, and cultural-religious factors that determine the conflict potential of the two continents, including colonial legacies with artificial borders, crises of statehood, unequal access to resources, segmentation of political institutions, and the specific dynamics of ethnic and religious mobilization. The author emphasizes that ethnopolitical tensions rarely emerge in isolation; rather, they arise at the intersection of historical fragmentation, economic marginalization, and external interference, making these conflicts protracted, resilient, and difficult to resolve.
The article examines the dynamics of conflict development – from latent tension and symbolic mobilization to open violence, internationalization, and institutionalization of confrontation. The comparative analysis demonstrates that African conflicts are characterized by abrupt, explosive escalations and the predominance of resource- and power-driven factors, whereas Asian conflicts tend to evolve through gradual accumulation of tensions, deep ideological framing, and the systemic influence of major regional powers. On this basis, the author argues that the trajectories of conflicts are shaped not only by structural determinants but also by the specific configurations of political regimes and state capacities to control peripheral territories.
Special attention is paid to institutional mechanisms of peaceful settlement. The study evaluates the effectiveness of international missions, regional organizations, power-sharing arrangements, autonomous administrative models, transitional justice instruments, and post-conflict recovery programs. It is emphasized that African models rely heavily on broad external engagement, while Asian approaches prioritize centralized state control and the limitation of outside influence. The article concludes that the effectiveness of peacebuilding depends on the combination of inclusive political reforms, meaningful participation of conflict-affected groups in decision-making, and economic integration of peripheral regions.