ABSTRACT
This chapter presents three threats – that are underestimated and little studied – that the continent is experiencing due to its current fragmentation. The first and the least evident risk is that of an even greater fragmentation. It is one of the most important contributions from modern sociology: children from divorced families are more likely to create other divorced families when they become adults. The second threat that Africa faces is the “winner-takes-all” approach. It is rarely explicit, maybe sometimes unconscious, but the idea that globalisation necessarily creates winners and losers – and that African countries must resign themselves to this logic – is creating a frantic race for first place that is rather dangerous. Africa’s diversity entails virtues that should not be underestimated. It is the third threat that a divided Africa is exposed to. Efforts to form a West African army through the Economic Community of West African State’s intervention force illustrate the advantages of cooperation.
