In the last 50 years, despite rapid population growth, a reasonable standard of living has come within reach of most people.The percentage of poor has fallen to around 20% of the still expanding global population.

In recent decades, people everywhere, an all continent, have seen their living standards improve.EXCEPT IN AFRICA.PERCENTAGE OF POOR IN AFRICA HAS RISEN, NOT FALLEN.The people of most all African countries(or more specifically those in sub_Sahara Africa)now earn on average less than at the time of independence.Bad governance, violence, corruption and aids complete this sabre picture.

How could things have gone so badly in Africa? Other continents have sometimes faced enormous problems, but only Africa has made almost no progress at all.The failure of development in Africa has come as a surprise to many people. Around 1960 when many countries gained independence, there was a general feeling of euphoria, a new start for a continent that has freed itself from many years of colonial oppression and from the slave trade.At first sight, Africa didn't seem to be in the worst position than the other non-western continents of Asia and Latin America, which together used to be called the 'THE THIRD WORLD'.

The virtual disappearance of the third world as a concept is an indication that general indication about rich and poor cannot explain the realities of the situation in any detail. remoulded by the antiglobalist_claim that the poverty is caused (or at least maintained)by the rich countries.

The rich are seen to have the poor in an iron grip. The reality of shown, however, that this is an Exaggeration, to say the least. some poor countries especially in East and Southeast Asia, have developed very successfully. clearly, the obstructing influence of the international system must not be overestimated.

DEMOCRATIZATION

When the cold war ended, the dissatisfaction of the people in African countries came to the surface.The dissatisfaction was expressed in the way of democratization. Many groups demanded a change of policy, new faces in government and greater control of those in power.

Elections were held in various part of the continent.Some of which led to peaceful changes of government.The pressure came at a time when many authoritarian regimes in Africa were already feeling the pinch due to the changed in the international situation.Africa had lost it strategic importance.for the international powers, it was no longer a necessity for Africa leaders to stay in power.in this new situation, they had to try and save themselves.

In addition, the international community gave increasing support to democratisation in Africa states. A variety of measures were taken to improve the functioning of the state such as strengthening governance capacity, combating corruption, promoting the rule of law and supporting civil society organisations.

All of these factors combined to generate a force-(from both within the African societies and the international community) for renewal of the state.this put towards rebuilding the state aimed to counteract the process of state disintegration.

The outcome of the current struggle between state disintegration and state building will determine the future of African countries and regions. For the moments, disintegration seems to have the upper hand, especially in the west and central Africa. for the rest of Africa, continued stagnation would seem the best we can hope for. for Africa, the near future looks anything but optimistic.