In such places, governments often don't have a great deal of legitimacy. Indeed, in these countries a strong sense of national identity is often absent. Frustratingly, this is a widespread phenomenon in Africa. In many African countries citizens feel they are not getting services, resources and protection that are their due from their governments. They often think -- rightly (more often than not) or wrongly -- that they are missing out because they belong to the wrong ethnic group.

The borders of most African countries were drawn up arbitrarily, across language and ethnic groups, by Western countries that colonized them. So, different groups often inhabit the same geographical borders, without necessarily having much in common in terms of ethnicity, but having to live together as a nation. Instead of trying to turn such diversity into strength, many political leaders often used the same tactics employed by former colonial administrations, exploiting these differences for political ends. Most political leaders and parties in Africa still based their programs on ethnicity rather than issues.
Often political positions are allocated on the basis of ethnic loyalties or tribal support, rather than on performance or competence. Not surprisingly, where political patronage is based on tribal and ethnic identity, political instability and violence loom large. Of course, sometimes, the ethnic differences are quite superficial. Often ostensibly ethnically different groups share the same ethnic origin, language and even customs. U.S. Senator Barack Obama summed up the situation last week when he said in Kenya that the enduring tradition of ethnic-based politics built around tribal factions has set back many African countries' development.

Nigeria, Africa's most populous country, will hold its presidential elections next year. It is likely to be dominated by tribal politics, as it was the last time. In Zimbabwe, the opposition Movement for Democratic Change has been paralyzed because of a resurgence of tribal politics based on tensions between the majority Shona and the smaller Ndebele groups. The recent elections in the Democratic Republic of the Congo saw voters making the crosses on ethnic and tribal lines. The list is almost endless.

The challenge is how best to balance ethnic or group differences in these societies, with democratic politics based not on tribe, but on real policy issues. The best good governments can do to prevent politics turning into tribal headcounts is to deliver to their citizens. Most importantly, receiving state services should not depend on one's ethnicity, but should be shared on an equitable basis. This will prevent unscrupulous politicians and tribal leaders from exploiting tribal politics to achieve power. For example, some kind of provision in constitutions should make equitable distribution of state resources across regions a country law.

It will help if electoral systems are designed in such a way that it penalizes those who campaign on tribal votes and encourages broad-based cross-tribal constituencies. Merit must become the overriding reason for election or appointment to political or government office, rather than ethnicity. Separate institutions for traditional leaders or chiefs could be created, with clear provisions for traditional leaders to stay out of politics. Finally, a bill of rights that enshrines individual rights, with public watchdog institutions, such as public protectors and ombudsmen, to police ethnic pork-barrelling, will come a long way to slay the tribal dragon.