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Estimated population 1.13 million
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Due to its extensive petroleum resources Gabon has one of the highest GDP per capita figures in Africa at $6,365. Nevertheless the population is considerably deprived and the country is rated 124th in the UN Human Development Index. The country’s president El Hadj Omar Bongo Ondimba is Africa’s longest serving ruler have been in power since 1967. Inhabitants of this former French colony have a life expectancy of 57 for females and 54 for males.
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Estimated population 21 million
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Independent from the UK since 1957 Ghana, formerly the British colony of the Gold Coast, the country after great promise in its early years under President Kwame Nkrumah survived an authoritarian dictatorship under Jerry Rawlings in the course of which hundreds disappeared. A commission of national reconciliation was established in 2003 on the question of the disappeared. Ghana is rated 136th in Human Development and had a GDP per capita of $513 in 2005. Life expectancy is 57 for females and 55 for males. Gold, diamonds, manganese and bauxite are important natural resources and a strong entrepreneurial culture exists among sections of the community.
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Estimated population 8 million
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In a rare demonstration of discontent a national strike against the rising cost of living in February 2006 caused President Lansana Conté to sack his prime minister. A former French colony, Guinea became independent in 1958 and was ruled in its early years by the respected if somewhat authoritarian leader Ahmed Sekou Touré. On Sekou Tourés death in 1984 Colonel Lansan Conté assumed power and retained the presidency despite accusations of corruption and electoral fraud. Bauxite, the raw material for alumina, is found in great quantities in Guinea and exports are a major foreign currency earner. Life expectancy for females is 51 and 48 for males. Guinea is ranked 160th in Human Development and its GDP per capita in 2005 was 359 and falling.
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Estimated population 1.13 million
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This tiny former Spanish colony benefits from significant oil deposits and
its GDP per capita at $6,570 and rising rapidly, being one of the highest in
Africa. Despite its comparative wealth, Equatorial Guinea is ranked 120th in
Human Development by the UN. Many of the country's citizens survive on less
that $1 per day.
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Estimated population 1.33 million
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Independence was gained from Portugal in 1973 following a ten-year armed struggle. Although bedevilled by military coups, a civil war and political instability for many years elections in 2005 were described by international observer groups as calm and organised. Severe economic deprivation however militates against stability. Guinea Bissau’s GDP per capita in 2005 was a mere $190 and the country was placed 173rd on the UN Human Development Index. Of sociological interest is the matriarchal society which tenuously survives in the islands of the Bolama archipelago where men must compulsorily accept a woman’s decision to marry them and religious affairs are carried out by a female priesthood.
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Estimated population 19 million
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The République de Côte d'Ivoire became independent from France in 1960 and for the following 30 years only one political party, the PDCI (Democratic Party) led by Félix Houphouët-Boigny was permitted to operate. For two decades the country enjoyed double digit economic growth giving rise to the phrase “Ivorian Miracle” with exports of agricultural produce fuelling the economic success. At one stage the country was the third largest coffee producer in the world and the largest producer of cocoa. Under the authoritarian presidency of Henri Konan Bédié the stability came to an end. A military coup in 1999, tension between native Ivorians and immigrants from other Africa countries, and an outright civil war which has not been definitively resolved led to the undoing of the previous economic successes. As a result Côte d’Ivoire has fallen to 164th place in the UN Human Development Index and had a GDP per capita of $900 in 2005. Females can hope to live to 53 years and males to 49.
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Estimated population 33.3 million
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Following an underground struggle against British rule, Kenya gained its
freedom in 1963 and was governed by the KANU party of Jomo Kenyatta until
his death in 1978. He was succeeded by the authoritarian president Daniel
Arap Moi who transformed the country into a one-party state. A
constitutional amendment re-instated multi-party democracy in 1991. Kenya
has considerable agricultural exports largely to the former colonial power
and is now a major exporter of tea and coffee. Tourism is also a strong
contributor to the economy.
Global warming and other climate changes have begun to affect the country.
Dramatic falls in the water-level of Lake Victoria have affected the lives
of fishermen not only in Kenya but also in Tanzania and Uganda. The small
glaciers on Mount Kenya, Africa's second-highest mountain are shrinking
rapidly.
Kenya's GDP per capita in 2005 was estimated at $560 by the IMF while it is
ranked in 152nd place in the UN Human development index. Males at 48,
unusually, have a higher life expectancy than females at 46.
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Estimated population 2.3 million
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A constitution monarchy, Lesotho gained its independence from the UK in 1966 and went through various periods of political instability with democratic interludes. A landlocked country, Lesotho is completely surrounded by the Republic of South Africa which has had a strong influence over its politics. Lesotho’s substantial rainfall allows it to export water and electricity to its neighbour and these exports are of significant importance to the economy. Emigrants remittances are also significant. Once perhaps the poorest country in Africa Lesotho now has a GDP per capita if $630 and is rated 149th in the UN’s Human Development index. Life expectancy in 2003 was very low at 38 for females and 35 for males.
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Estimated population 3.6 million
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Founded in 1882 by a well-meaning humanitarian organisation the American Colonization Society, Liberia became a settlement for liberated American slaves of African origin. A constitution based on that of the United States was installed. In 1980 however Samuel Doe came to power as a result of a military coup and this led to armed opposition led by Charles Taylor who came to power in 1996. His regime was in turned opposed by the LURD (Liberians United for Reconciliation and Democracy) who forced Taylor into exile in Nigeria A transitional government was then put in place backed up by a 15,000 strong United Nations peace keeping force in 2003. Liberia’s GDP per capita was extremely low in 2005 at $161 dollars. Unemployment has reached 80 per cent with life expectancy for females at 49 and males at 47. Infant mortality has been exceptionally high reaching 157 per thousand in 2004.
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Estimated population 5.8 million
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Following decades as an Italian colony and post-war Franco-British occupation, Libya became an independent kingdom in 1951 and as a result of a coup d’état in 1969 a republic was declared by Colonel Muammar Gadafy whose eccentric rule continues to this day. The country’s official title is the Great Socialist People’s Libyan Arab Jamahiriyah with 2,700 representatives from local “popular councils” forming the General People’s Council. Human rights are severely restricted and at present five Bulgarian nurses are charged with infecting children with HIV as part of a western plot. Despite its totalitarian regime and because of its extensive petroleum resources Libya has the second highest GDP per capita in Africa standing at $7,120 in 2004 and is ranked 64th in the Human Development Index, the best in mainland Africa. Libyan woman can expect to live until they are 79 and men to 74.
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Estimated population 12.3 million
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Formerly the British colony of Nyasaland, Malawi became independent in 1964 and was subjected to a long authoritarian regime under Dr Hastings Banda . Multi-party democracy was introduced in the constitution of 1994 with a President elected for five years by universal suffrage and a National Assembly or parliament of 188 members. Malawi is 166th in the UN’s Human Development Index and had a GDP per capita in 2005 of $161. Tobacco accounts for 60 per cent of Malawi’s exports. Female life expectancy is 47 and male 45.
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Estimated population 12.3 million
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The former French Sudan became independent in 1960 and included the present Mali and Senegal as one country known as Federation of Mali. This arrangement collapsed within the year and Mali became an independent state on its own. A period of instability was followed by a slow process towards democracy. Almost two thirds of Mali is desert making it one of the poorest countries in the world. There is some economic activity in the food-processing sector and a small number of adventurous tourists visits the country annually. Mali is 175th in the UN Human development index making it the third worst country on earth in which to life. Its GDP per capita in 2005 was $434. Live expectancy for females in 2004 was 50 and for males 46.
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Estimated population 2.9 million
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Mauritania became independent from France in 1960. A democratic constitution in operation since 2006 provides for a president elected by direct suffrage for a five-year term. The judicial system is that of Islamic Shariah law with the death penalty still in force. The country is 153rd in the world in Human Development and had an estimated GDP per capita in 2005 of $658. Life expectancy for females is 55 and for males 53.
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Estimated population 1.25 million
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A former colony of both France and Britain, Mauritius is prosperous by African standards with a GDP per capita of $5,010 and a placing of 63rd in the UN Human Development Index. As an island in the Indian Ocean with good transport communications and a stable democratic system it has developed a successful tourist industry. Female life expectancy is 76 and Male 69.
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Estimated population 30 million
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A former French colony apart from small sections which were under Spanish control Morocco has been an independent Monarchy since 1956. Morocco claims sovereignty over the Spanish North African enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla. It is the only African country not a member of the African Union and instead looks towards its Arab identity as a member of the Arab League. The country is rated 123rd for Human Development an dits GDP per capita in 2005 was $1,712. The mining of phosphates is the country’s major earner followed by emigrants remittances and tourism. Female life expectancy is 73 and male 68.
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Estimated population 19.5 million
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A Portuguese colony for almost 500 years Mozambique became independent in 1975. Its membership of the Commonwealth, although never a British colony, is due mainly to the influence of former South African President Nelson Mandela. After independence from Portugal Mozambique offered sanctuary to anti-apartheid activists from South Africa and independence fighters from Rhodesia. As a result the Apartheid Regime and Rhodesian elements sponsored rebellion by an organisation called RENAMO and a civil war fomented by extreme right-wing elements from outside caused havoc in the country from which it is still in the process of recovery. Economic growth in the 1990s especially following the end of apartheid in South Africa was extremely impressive at over 10 per cent but catastrophic flooding in 2000 was a major setback. Nevertheless the economy rebounded quickly with growth of nearly 15 per cent in 2001 and a levelling out to 7 per cent thereafter. Mozambique’s Human Development level in 162nd place still leaves a great deal to be desired as does its GDP per capita at $339. Females can expect to live to 49 and males to 45.
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Unique amongst African countries Ethiopia has never been a designated colony of a European country but has been subjected to very strong influence and pressure from colonial powers. It is the second most populous country in Africa and one of the oldest nations on earth and houses the second oldest Christian community in the world. Deforestation and soil erosion are among the country’s most significant problems. Although there are deposits of gold and platinum the extent of Ethiopia’s mineral resources remain relatively unexplored. GDP per capita is low at $156 and Ethiopia occupies 170th place in the UN Human Development Index. Life expectancy is 50 for females and 48 for males.
