Polisblog
22. Januar 2025

Why Some Conflicts Are Ignored, Not Forgotten: The Legacy of Colonialism and Power Politics

Conflicts like those in Sudan, Haiti, and Burkina Faso remain largely ignored, despite global access to information. These are not “forgotten” conflicts – they’re intentionally neglected due to colonial history shaping current political interests. As Germany approaches its election, it is critical to address these ignored crises. Our upcoming blog series on Ignored Conflicts explores why these issues remain sidelined and how the new government must act. Join us as we uncover these hidden narratives and rethink how the world engages with its most pressing challenges.

A blog by Elanur Alsaç and Lina Abraham

Many of the world’s deadliest conflicts, like those in Sudan, Haiti, and Burkina Faso, remain largely out of the global spotlight despite unprecedented access to information and resources devoted to foreign affairs. The term “forgotten conflicts” often appears in political and media discourse to describe such neglect, but this is misleading. For a conflict to be forgotten, it must first be acknowledged.

In most cases, the lack of response to major crises results from deliberate decisions, so that these conflicts can be considered ignored rather than forgotten. This is particularly important in light of the upcoming German election on February 23, 2025. In a political climate marked by US’ re-nationalization and a fragmented global power order conflicts are likely to increase, with political leaders focusing increasingly on domestic issues, justifying strategic ignorance. 

However, many of the world’s deadliest conflicts are so devastating precisely because they are ignored. The new German government must leverage its position as one of the wealthiest and most connected countries to reverse this trend, which fuels human suffering, drives migration, and worsens global instability.

Colonial Impact: Shaping Today’s Conflict Landscape

The enduring impact of colonial exploitation shapes the visibility of global conflicts, with many „ignored conflicts“ occurring in former French or British colonies.

Colonial powers often drew arbitrary borders, disregarding ethnic, cultural, and religious boundaries. This careless demarcation has led to some of the longest standing conflicts in Africa, Asia, and the Middle East.

Moreover, the aftermath of colonial domination has left many regions with weak governance and underdeveloped institutions, breeding conflict and impeding peaceful dispute resolution. Myanmar and Haiti, for example, still struggle with the enduring effects of colonial-era systems that have hindered their political stability and social cohesion, particularly evident in Myanmar’s military-dominated governance structure and Haiti’s persistent economic dependence on foreign powers. Continued economic interests of former colonizers often perpetuate these conflicts. ​​The CFA franc system, backed by France, exemplifies how economic structures are hindering development and maintain neo-colonial dependencies in West African countries. This monetary system, which requires member countries to deposit a significant portion of their foreign reserves with the French treasury, is intended to ensure currency stability, but actually limits economic sovereignty.

International approaches to today’s conflicts frequently adopt neo-colonial perspectives and reinforce power imbalances, resulting in biased interventions or neglect. Recognizing the colonial roots of ignored conflicts is crucial for developing effective resolution strategies. By understanding these underlying factors, we can work towards breaking violence cycles and fostering sustainable peace in regions long affected by colonialism’s shadow.

How National Interests are Undermining Global Governance

But as long as today’s world continues to reflect colonial power structures, conflicts will receive selective attention in global governance. This is particularly evident in the UN Security Council (UNSC), the only body in international law with the authority to authorize force and establish binding resolutions. The veto power of the UNSC’s P5 – primarily Western colonial states – allows them to block discussions or actions that run against their interests. Donor influence within the UN worsens this issue, as wealthy countries leverage financial contributions to advance their agendas. For example, the US and China, as top contributors, influence the UN by delaying or withholding payments. Under Trump, the US drastically cut funding to agencies like UNRWA, the UN agency for Palestinian refugees. This reliance on a few major donors – such as the US, Germany, and Sweden, which provided 38% of funding for development work in 2021 – further skews priorities.

Economic and strategic interests heavily influence which conflicts receive attention. Today’s complex global supply chains often blunt the economic impact of distant conflicts. For example, despite Sudan’s brutal civil war since 2023, exports like sesame, sorghum, and gum arabic continue to flow to global markets. Political interests further shape responses; the UAE, a key ally of Western countries, finances Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF) to secure access to valuable natural resources and strengthen its influence in the Horn of Africa. Similarly, NATO members often overlook Türkiye’s human rights abuses in its attacks on Kurdish groups due to its strategic role within the alliance and in managing Syrian refugees. Furthermore, recent conflicts in the Red Sea region demonstrate how strategic waterways can become focal points of international power struggles, complicating resolution efforts and impacting global trade.

Domestic politics and geographical location also shape the attention given to conflicts and their prioritization. Politicians, focused on upcoming elections, often overlook distant, long-term crises that seem to have no clear solutions. Without immediate political gains, they are less likely to act. The complexity of modern conflicts, with shifting alliances and multiple actors, further paralyzes policymakers, who may opt for inaction to protect their reputations rather than risk involvement in a distant and unpredictable situation.

Outlook 

Our upcoming blog series, Ignored Conflicts, will delve into crises that often fade from global awareness, despite their profound impact. By examining the key actors and underlying dynamics, we aim to shed light on these neglected issues. Understanding these conflicts is vital for creating more effective, proactive responses and a more inclusive approach to international peace and security.

Lina Abraham joined Polis180 in early 2023. She actively contributes to “Gender & International Politics” and co-leads a blog series on “Peace & Conflict.” Lina studied law, sociology, and political science in Heidelberg and Paris and is now pursuing a Master’s in Conflict Studies in London. She also works as a conflict researcher focusing on the Arabian Peninsula.

Elanur Alsaç joined Polis180 in early 2022 and co-leads a blog series on “Peace & Conflict.” She studied social sciences in Berlin and London and is currently completing her Master’s degree in Political Science in Berlin. In addition to peace and conflict research, her main areas of interest include global foreign and security policy, transatlantic relations and climate security.

The Polis Blog serves as a platform at the disposal of ‘Polis180’s & ‘OpenTTN‘s members. Published comments express solely the ‘authors’ opinions and shall not be confounded with the opinions of the editors or of Polis180.

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