Firstly, not all of Africa is poor. There are divides and these divides are extreme in contrast. They are like our "class" systems in the fact that there are rich and poor. The only difference is that their rich are VERY rich and their poor are VERY VERY poor.
The extremely wealthy part of Africa has a good diamond and oil trade going on. The rich part of Africa (and the governing bodies that rule) keep the money they have from this trade, all to their selves. They do not care for the poor part of their own country and choose to seclude it and abuse it to help their trade prospor. Yes, the "west" could easily stop doing trade with them, but why should they? It's not the "wests" fault that Africas leaders are a bunch of selfish horrible people who don't care about their own people.
