RUDN Journal of Political ScienceRUDN Journal of Political ScienceВестник Российского университета дружбы народов. Серия: Политология2313-14382313-1446Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia named after Patrice Lumumba (RUDN University)4801310.22363/2313-1438-2025-27-4-746-758GEMYVAPOSTCOLONIAL DEVELOPMENTПОСТКОЛОНИАЛЬНОЕ РАЗВИТИЕResearch ArticleThe Impact of Colonial Legacy on Contemporary Politics in Africa: A Case Study of West African CountriesВлияние колониального наследия на современную политику в Африке: на примере стран Западной Африкиhttps://orcid.org/0009-0005-0951-2736SaliuDaboСалиуДабо

PhD student at the Department of Comparative Politics

аспирант кафедры сравнительной политологии

dabosaliu@gmail.comRUDN UniversityРоссийский университет дружбы народов31122025274Politics in Africa and Africa in PoliticsПолитика в Африке и Африка в политике74675812012026Copyright ©; 2025, Saliu D.Copyright ©; 2025, Салиу Д.2025Saliu D.Салиу Д.https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0https://journals.rudn.ru/political-science/article/view/48013

The colonial legacy still impacts the formation and functioning of political systems in West African countries. The study addresses institutional, ethnopolitical, cultural, and economic aspects of the region’s postcolonial development. The analysis demonstrates that artificial borders created during the colonial era, ethnic fragmentation, institutional weakness, and persistent economic dependence on former colonial powers remain key factors shaping both domestic and foreign policy dynamics. Special attention is given to the dual nature of political culture, which combines elements of traditional power structures with Western governance models, as well as to the phenomenon of “decolonization of consciousness” as a cultural and ideological process aimed at rethinking identity and development trajectories. Drawing on historical and contemporary evidence, the study explores mechanisms for reproducing neocolonial relations, the role of the military in politics, challenges to national integration, and the influence of colonial policy on migration processes. The conclusion emphasizes the need for comprehensive institutional and cultural reforms aimed at strengthening sovereignty and building an inclusive political system that takes into account historical experience, ethnic diversity, and the challenges of globalization.

Колониальное наследие продолжает оказывать влияние на формирование и функционирование политических систем стран Западной Африки. Рассматриваются институциональные, этнополитические, культурные и экономические аспекты постколониального развития региона. Показано, что искусственные границы, созданные в колониальный период, этническая фрагментация, институциональная слабость и сохраняющаяся экономическая зависимость от бывших метрополий остаются ключевыми факторами, определяющими динамику внутренней и внешней политики. Особое внимание уделено двойственной природе политической культуры, сочетающей элементы традиционных структур власти и западных моделей управления, а также феномену «деколонизации сознания» как культурно-идейного процесса, направленного на переосмысление идентичности и траекторий развития. На основе исторического и современного материала проанализированы механизмы воспроизводства неоколониальных отношений, роль армии в политике, проблемы национальной интеграции и влияние колониальной политики на миграционные процессы. Сделан вывод о необходимости комплексных институциональных и культурных реформ, направленных на укрепление суверенитета и построение инклюзивной политической системы, учитывающей исторический опыт, этническое многообразие и вызовы глобализации.

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