How much of it is of the sort described in the article, of securing safe passage for french citizens out of Cote d'Ivoire because a civil war was breaking out?

What I'm about to say is a mixture of facts and pure speculations.

There was a Ghananian president called Kwame Nkrumah. He wanted a unified West Africa. If you check the dates of independence of many west African countries, you'll notice they revolve around the 60s. A Judge in Ghana told me that Nkrumh was the cause.

He set up schools training "revolutionaries," teaching them governance and how to fight. And this hastened their independence - Nigeria was one.

His plan was a united Africa where the countries trade amongst each other. And would not be forced to accept rates dictated by the west for their produce.

Unfortunately, before he could effect lasting change he was overthrown. And he ran to Guinea where he was made a co-president. (I see the CIA's hand here (IMO))

It's not like governments only know how to loot. A chief source of problem is the rapid change of policies. A new government used to mean a completely different environment and rules for businesses.

So, you have one step in one direction and then the next government moves two steps in the opposite direction. Partisian thinking is just ridiculous.

Another big problem is tribalism. It's so big a problem that I'm chuckling right now. A person is often elected for no other reason than the tribe the person represents. The current Nigerian president is on that seat for that very reason.

According to people I've Nigerians I've talked to, there would have been a killing rampage by the Hausas if the current president didn't win.

From History books I've read and talks with the older guys, the British pursued a divide and conquer approach to keep the country dependent for a long time.

The Western part of Nigeria had the highest rate of education (still does). The Easterners were more interested in business than in school or politics. And the Northerners had the worst education rates, procreated regardless of resources to take care of the children but were very obedient.

So the British pushed for them to enter the military. And they did enmasse. Till date, the military training facilities still exist only in the northern states.

The string of coups, looting and stupid policies that dragged the country down were done mainly by the Northern born heads of states e.g. Buhari, Abacha, IBB. They are interesting reads btw.

"Together we stand, divided we fall" I believe is a lesson these countries need to internalize FIRST, before any meaningful progress can be achieved. And this bonding is easy to achieve.

"Nothing bonds like having a common enemy." - Blair Warren.

US presidents have always done a good job of providing a clear enemy. For their founding, the enemies changed at different times. From the Indians, to the black slaves, and finally to the British.

Later, it was communism. The time when the USSR was the enemy resulted in a lot of innovations and development (internet, satellite launch, moon landing...) for the country.