By Morgen Makombo Sikwila
In Africa, tribalism has led to political instability, corruption, and violence. Political leaders use tribalism to gain support from their ethnic groups, leading to unequal distribution of resources, political appointments, and job opportunities.
This has resulted in poverty, unemployment, and underdevelopment in some regions, while others prosper. Tribalism has also fuelled conflicts and violence, leading to human rights abuses, loss of lives and property.
In some instances, political leaders use tribalism to gain support from their ethnic groups, leading to unequal distribution of resources, political appointments, and job opportunities. This has resulted in poverty, unemployment, and underdevelopment in some regions, while others prosper. Tribalism fuels conflicts and violence, leading to human rights abuses, loss of lives and property. The impact of tribalism is clear in the political sphere. Political leaders often appoint persons from their ethnic groups to public offices, ranging from government positions to administrative positions. This leads to the exclusion of other ethnic groups from political representation, resulting in resentment and conflicts. Tribalism in most African countries has led to a lack of accountability and transparency in governance. People in power prioritize their ethnic tribe interests over the national interest, leading to corruption, misuse of public resources, and a lack of development.
Effect of tribalism extends to the economic sphere. It can result in the unequal distribution of resources, with some regions receiving more development projects and support than others. Tribalism leads to lack of investment in some areas, resulting in underdevelopment, unemployment, and poverty. This further fuels tribalism as people feel neglected and excluded from national development.
Tribalism undermines social cohesion. It results in animosity, intolerance, and discrimination between ethnic groups. People self-segregate based on their tribes and are more likely to confer with members of their tribe. This further entrenches tribalism and divides the country. To rectify the situation, there is a need for political will, social cohesion, and economic growth. Government should create policies that are inclusive and promote equal distribution of resources and opportunities to all citizens, irrespective of their ethnic backgrounds. Government should also empower institutions responsible for ensuring accountability, transparency, and the rule of law. This will foster social cohesion, reduce corruption, and promote peaceful coexistence. States should promote national identity, discourage tribalism, and encourage diversity and inclusivity.
Tribalism impacts a country’s development by undermining accountability, transparency, and equality. It undermines the country’s potential for socio-economic growth. It is vital for all stakeholders, including the government and civil society, to come together to promote social cohesion, encourage inclusivity, and promote economic growth. There must be a deliberate effort to promote the country’s national identity and discourage tribalism because this will foster development and peaceful co-existence.
Tribalism and religious bigotry are two major factors that have hindered Africa’s economic growth. These attitudes have created divisions and conflicts, leading to political instability, economic underdevelopment and poverty.
Tribalism refers to loyalty or allegiance to one’s own tribe or ethnic group, often at the expense of others. It has led to the exclusion of certain groups from economic opportunities, and the allocation of resources based on tribal affiliations rather than merit. This has resulted in a lack of social cohesion and a fragmented society, making it difficult for countries to establish and implement effective economic policies.
Tribalism can lead to the formation of ethnic-based factions within companies or organizations, disrupting the harmony and cohesion necessary for effective teamwork. Employees who subscribe to the ideology of tribe develop a sense of hostility or mistrust towards their colleagues. This can create a toxic work environment where collaboration is stifled, and interpersonal conflicts become more frequent. As employees take sides along ethnic lines, the companies and, or organizations ability to function as a unified entities is compromised.
When tribalism permeates the workplaces and some organizations, it often leads to reduced productivity. Employees who feel marginalized or targeted because of their ethnic background may become disengaged or demotivated. In some cases, vulnerable employees experience stress, fear and anxiety, which can detract focus and performance at work. Additionally, the time and energy that could have been spent on productive work may instead be diverted to managing conflicts or addressing grievances stemming from tribal tensions.
Companies’ reputation suffer if it is perceived to tolerate or even encourage tribalism within their ranks. In the age of social media, news of discriminatory practices or tribal conflicts within companies or a country can spread rapidly, leading to public backlash. Organizations in regions affected by tribalists may find themselves under scrutiny if they are seen as supporting or condoning the ideology, either explicitly or implicitly. This can result in loss of customer trust, boycotts, and difficulties in attracting top talent, particularly from diverse backgrounds.
Tribalism, the strong loyalty to one’s ethnic or cultural group, has long been a defining characteristic of human societies. While this sense of belonging can foster unity within a group, it can also create divisions and tensions between different communities. In the context of business, tribalism can significantly influence growth, both positively and negatively. Deep-rooted ethnic tensions can spill over into the workplaces.
Tribalism manifests in various forms within the business environment. It can influence hiring practices, customer relationships, and even business partnerships. When tribal sentiments are strong, businesses may favour individuals from their own ethnic group for employment, contracts, or other opportunities, often to the detriment of merit-based decision-making. This can lead to a lack of diversity in the workplace, which stifles innovation and limits the pool of talent available to a business. Moreover, businesses that cater predominantly to one ethnic group may find it challenging to expand into other markets, thus hindering growth and development.
Tribalism can have severe psychological and emotional effects on employees, particularly those who are the targets of discrimination. Employees in regions affected may experience a heightened sense of vulnerability and insecurity. The fear of losing their jobs or being ostracized by their colleagues can lead to chronic stress, anxiety, and even depression. This not only affects their well-being but also their ability to perform effectively in their roles.
Trust is a crucial component of effective teamwork. When tribalism infiltrates the workplace and, or communities, it erodes trust among employees and citizens, particularly between those from different ethnic backgrounds. Without trust, collaboration breaks down, and teams may struggle to achieve their goals.
Tribalism can also affect employees’ career advancement and access to opportunities. In an organization where tribalism is prevalent, promotions and opportunities for growth may be influenced by ethnic affiliations rather than merit. Some employees are being overlooked for promotions or excluded from key projects, regardless of their qualifications or performance. This not only hinders their career development but also contributes to a culture of inequality within organizations.
The effects of these attitudes can be seen in various African countries. Ethnic and religious conflicts have led to political instability and economic underdevelopment. In Rwanda, the genocide of 1994 was largely fueled by tribalism and led to a significant setback in economic development.
Training is a powerful tool in the fight against tribalism in communities and workplaces. By promoting cultural awareness, building interpersonal skills, fostering inclusive leadership, encouraging collaboration, and implementing inclusion initiatives, training can help mitigate the negative effects of tribalism and create a more harmonious and productive work environment. In an increasingly diverse and interconnected world, organizations that invest in training to address tribalism are better positioned to harness the full potential of their workforce, drive innovation and achieve long-term success.
To address the negative impact of tribalism on organization operations and staff, organizations must take proactive steps to promote inclusion. This includes implementing policies that explicitly prohibit discrimination based on ethnicity, fostering a culture of respect and understanding, and providing training on unconscious bias and cultural competence. Additionally, organizations should establish clear channels for employees to report incidents of tribalism or discrimination and ensure that such reports are taken seriously and addressed promptly.
Governments and civil society organizations should promote social cohesion and inclusivity. This can be done through education, sensitization campaigns, and the implementation of policies that promote diversity and equity. Additionally, there is need for strong leaderships.
Good leadership plays a critical role in setting the tone for organizations and countries. Leaders must model inclusive behavior and actively promote diversity within their countries. This includes ensuring that hiring, promotion, and compensation decisions are based on merit rather than ethnic affiliations. By fostering an environment where all employees feel valued and respected, countries can mitigate the impact of tribalism and create a more cohesive and productive workforce.
In a globalised world where countries increasingly rely on diverse teams to drive innovation and success, tribalism poses a significant threat to organisational harmony and productivity. By recognising the dangers of tribalism and taking deliberate steps to promote inclusivity and equity, countries can protect their operations from the divisive effects of ethnic tensions and ensure a healthy cohesive environment for all citizens. Tribalism should die.
Tribalism poses a significant obstacle to development in Africa, impacting national unity, economic growth, social progress, and political stability. Addressing tribalism requires promoting national identity, fostering inclusivity, strengthening institutions, and ensuring equitable access to resources and opportunities.
Morgen Makombo Sikwila
BSc Counselling
Diploma in Environmental Health
Certificate in Marketing Management
