Not surprisingly, the newly independent African countries were, influenced by the dominant ideas of the 20th century. They vehemently rejected ethnic nationalism as a threat to the state and continue advanced for modernization of Africa.  The new states were fragile and "quasi-states" and had lesser control over the governance of a country. Ethnic politics had significant interferences in state building of African Countries. 

1.  Colonial powers created virtual states in Africa for their benefits. After independence, some the African countries claimed the territories of other countries on the clan, tribe and religion grounds.

2. Organization of African Unity (OAU) has accepted the colonial state borders as permanent state borders, yet there are unresolved border disputes based on ethnicity among the western African countries.

3. The educated class tries to identify themselves as a nation, but beyond the cities, population identifies itself with local areas, groups and tribes.

4. Ethnic leaders extend their powers and revolted against the democratic governments in Nigeria, Somalia, Eritrea, Lithuania and sub Saharan countries. Sudan, Uganda, Somalia and Nigeria are facing civil war between government and ethnic groups.

5. Ethnic violence and persecution of Christians by radical Muslim groups is common in Central and North African Countries.

6. Few leaders in North African countries use ethic politics to control on government and maintain their dictatorship/authoritarian governance.

7. Ethnic identities and claims are not disappearing in African politics as they were denied legitimacy.  Ethnic politics influence the government in Libya, Egypt and other North African Countries. 

8. In African countries, ethnicity flourished quickly and denounced the western views and admires the tribalism to remain in power.  For example, racism and Africa-Dutch war in South Africa, hate against Christians in Congo, Libya are the example of flourishing of ethnicity.

9. While officially committed to overcoming tribalism, most African leaders manipulated ethnicity, in order to keep themselves in power. Some did so by forging alliances with leaders of many ethnic groups and some co-opted potential ethnic opponents into their governments. Thus ethnic views got share in governance and government.

10. Few leaders advocated their soft heart towards the ethnic views for peace and stability, keeping the country together and preventing open conflict from emerging within the country.

11. Leaders supported to the ethnic members of their own clans or ethnic groups and excluded to others.  It led armed conflicts within the country.