Why did some African countries consider regional and tribal origins in civil service appointments?

In many African states, the consideration of regional and tribal origins in civil service appointments is a response to the need for equitable representation within diverse, often artificially constructed national boundaries.12

Many modern African countries are successors to administrative units established by colonial regimes, which frequently grouped disparate communities together or splintered existing ones based on arbitrary imperial decisions. Consequently, tribal or ethnic groups often serve as effective communities and primary vehicles of political consciousness. To maintain national stability and ensure that the civil service reflects the diverse makeup of the population, these states are compelled to recognize regional and tribal origins to achieve a more balanced distribution of government posts. This practice mirrors efforts in other culturally diverse nations, such as Switzerland or Canada, which similarly seek to maintain a balance of representation among their constituent elements.21