<p>This study examines how internal geopolitical structures relate to the rise of non-state armed groups (NSAGs) in Africa by employing a qualitative case study methodology that focuses on the Horn of Africa and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) as key cases to explore these dynamics. It addresses a gap in the literature that often separates material conditions from ideas that drive mobilization. The study argues that the potential for conflict comes not only from resource scarcity or economic hardship. It also arises from social inequalities in space and territory, which turn long-standing regional grievances into ideologically legitimate opposition. By using constructivism and concepts such as spatial semantics and identity securitization, the study illustrates how state neglect, uneven resource distribution, and fixed territorial divisions are viewed through shared norms and narratives. These factors help create the foundational identities needed for forming NSAGs, recruiting members, and governing. NSAGs take advantage of these internal geopolitical gaps. The analysis is anchored in detailed examination of the Horn of Africa and the DRC, which are introduced in the study and selected based on their representativeness and data richness. They provide important services and rally ethnic, religious, or regional identities to gain legitimacy, especially in neglected border areas. This research offers a deeper understanding of conflict in Africa by combining structural and ideological factors into a unified explanation.</p>