Reasons why it has been difficult for many African countries to Implement the principle of non-alignment are:
(i) Underdeveloped Economy: Most of the countries in Africa have economies that are underdeveloped. Assist-ance is therefore needed from the two power blocs, for example, in the area of transfer of technology.
(ii) Unstable political system: Unstable political system manifesting in some African states had compelled them to look for military aids from the power blocs - East or West.
(iii) Indebtedness: Many of the countries in Africa are indebted in one way or the other to the Eastern or Western blocs.
(iv) Economic dependence: Most of the manufactured goods found in African countries are imported. The reason is because most of these African countries are mainly primary producers.
(v) International Organisations: Many African countries are members of some international organisations tied to the blocs, e.g the Commonwealth, which is tied to the western bloc.
(vi) Colonial influence: There is the influence of colonialism in subjecting some African countries to follow or conform to the policies of their erstwhile colonial masters.
(vii) Fear of external aggression: The fear of external aggression nursed by some African countries makes them to turn to either the western or eastern blocs, for the necessary military assistance.
(viii) Selfish ambition of some African Leaders: This has to do with sit-tight political leaders who refuse to abdicate their positions because of the support they are getting from either of the blocs. Some of them have even sold their nations to these power blocs, making them puppets in their hands, e.g. the late Mobutu Sese Seko of Zaire.