Genocide and State-Induced Famine: Global Ethics and Western Responsibility for Mass Atrocities in Africa

This article considers Western responsibility for genocide and state-induced famine in Africa. It discusses colonial genocide in South-West Africa and Congo; post-colonial genocide in Rwanda and Darfur; and state-induced famine in Ethiopia and Zimbabwe. The article differentiates core, contributory, and circumstantial responsibility for genocide and famine, arguing that except for the two colonial genocides, African political actors bear core responsibility. Nevertheless, the West is responsible for protecting the human rights of all Africans, regardless of which political actors caused their suffering. The article concludes by discussing empathy and interest as means to persuade Western actors to devote more attention to Africa.