Ethnicity, Citizenship and State in Eastern Africa

““One of the major challenges in contemporary Africa is how to grapple with the diversity of ethnic identities in the process of molding a cohesive political society. Tarimo’s study tries not only to identify the root causes for the widespread politicisation of ethnicity on the African continent, leading to destructive ethnic competition and hostility that tend to undermine any efforts of promoting responsible citizenship in the African nation-states. It also comes up with some unusual proposals for political transformation. It actually unveils the ethical principles that can promote a new understanding of ethnicity and citizenship, awaken public consciousness, motivate civic engagement, and bring about political integration. This is a well-written and well-argued book based on East African empirical findings and inspired by a wide reading in political, anthropological, theological and philosophical works.”

Dr Piet Konings, African Studies Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands