Are smaller countries the future for Africa?

The problems in Sub-Sahara Africa have little or nothing to do with the size of cuntries but rather than the institutions, education and infrastructure within those countries.
Colonized by Dutch, Portugeze and others their natural resources were plundered while they were left with none of any of the above that Great Britain did when it was building its empire.
Thus when the colonizing powers were overthrown or simply left, they left a great void into which the liberal West has poured TRILLIONS into and nothing has changes, indeed things have gotten worse.
Smaller countries will result in increased suufering and an increasingly deteriorating Sub-Sahara Africa.
As painful as it may be I believe that re-colonization of Sub-Sahara Africa and the installation of education, infrastructure, transportation systems and government is the only answer but why should any country do that as while the individual factions are fighting and slaughtering innocents developed countries can exploit the natural resources. In their myopic vision they cannot see any value in developing Sub-sahara Africa.

"For the sake of peace is it just easier for countries to be divided on ethnic or religious grounds?"

Once the fighting isn't about this, it will be about something else.

"It’s a little more complicated than that but dividing the Christian and Muslims populations is the essence of it."

True, and it will prevent a lot of problems.

"In the colonial era "scramble for Africa" the continent was divided up by the Europeans with little regard for the people or their heritage. Ethnic groups were either split apart or banded together under one flag. Sudan is good example of this. The north is largely a desert with most of the population Arabic speaking Muslims. The south is very different, with lots of jungles and Christian residents."

True, but only to an extent: due to population growth and conversions over the last 50 years countries that are deeply divided today may well have been much more uniform 50 years ago. Islam becoming a political force that wants to dominate others is a recent phenomenon in Africa.

It's ironic that while African countries are calling for unity ad even the creation the United States of Africa, there are still wars to get an independent land. If African countries are to be divided along tribal and religion lines, there should be more than 100 countries in this impoverished continent.

The creation of new countries by splitting the existing ones is no good. This can lead to continuing disputes over the borders and weakened economic exchange as it is unlikely there can be free trade zones between them.

Perhaps, the best way for current African countries to keep from splitting is to implement autonomous rule for regions that are religiously or culturally distinct. It is the continuing tribal sense among the population of many African countries that keep them from practically integrating with each other. Religion or tribe shouldn't be used as an excuse to split. Had the Sudanese government worked out a way to integrate the Christians in the affairs of their region and the country as a whole, there could have been no need for separation. It is when one section of the population , be it a minority or a majority, tries to monopolize power that dissent erupts leading for wars and possible split.

The case of Sudan should be a wake up call for African countries to cut the root of what may lead to separation. Africa needs to be strong by being built as a nation of united countries and not countries formed on tribal lines. Sudan is the first African country to split after its independence. So let it it be the first and the last to do so.

I dont think searation is the future, if it is then we are headed for disaster. Reason why countries separate is because one group is being oppresed and national development for countries as a whole is best step 2 take

I've always felt that the often absurd colonial demarcations have contributed greatly to Africa's lack of development. Loyalties have their own borders*.

In the long term, an EU style union would help Africa achieve great things, but for now many Africans need to be more certain of and more at peace with, their identities - and that in some cases means autonomy or separation.


*The Durand line which was pencilled in to separate Afghanistan from India (later Pakistan) faces a similar issue.

I would also add to my previous comment, that not all colonial era borders have been disastrous. The formerly British Somaliland is, last I heard, a far more successful pseudo-country than the rest of Somalia which formerly was Italian. But still, perhaps ironically in this case, re-separation would perhaps be best for Somaliland.

If it means separating tribes and groups into safe enclaves willing to trade but not live with each other, it maybe their only future. Since maturity, morality and and the appreciation of life seem to be unimportant to so many there!

Ofcourse dividing is no good, South Sudan is a nation that is extremely poor and has almost no infrastructure, the better thing to do will be that african leaders handle the differences in the population of their countries and provide justice and welfate and if necessary fedral rule can be introduced.

Africa worked well as it had worked for a very long time, and then neighbors came to visit. As result, it certainly has become a vessel for testing the effects of economic and religious meddling and exploitation. In a very real way, both have acted to remove substantial wealth from the continent. As despicable as is the former, constituting as it does the vehicle for enormous and irreplaceable material losses; the latter very effectively has stolen the richer resource by far - the long-term understanding and utilization of a local connection between the real world and the spiritual one. It makes little difference whether this theft was violent or peaceable. The missionary’s message, “You are ignorant of the nature of spiritual reality.” destroys a fabric woven over millennia. Calling someone’s religion ignorant paganism is just irritating, while convincing him or her of this is remarkably destructive. Would African unity automatically follow if all practiced some variant of Christianity? Have Christians never warred against their fellow believers? The same questions apply if all suddenly convert to branches of Islam. Each preaches a code of ethics which by its acceptance encourages its own violation. Islam and Christianity might certainly have done better by these people! I do not neglect the world’s other great religions by accident. The majority of them seem either to have the good sense, or just the simple consideration of human dignity, to be non-proselytizing. Division might be helpful; but not the one that accomplishes separation of Christian Africans from Muslim Africans. The Africans must be united in their separation from exterior influences; Christian, Moslem and Economic. “Out of Africa” must cease, especially in the senses of communal spirituality and continental identity. Only in this way will they see and solve their common problems and work for a common purpose. They all must have greater allegiance to Africa than to any religion. These efforts may not be calm or pretty; but broken vessels can be difficult to repair.
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In the long run it may help the African people. It is a chance to make that politics become more focused in improving the situation in the country instead of preferring one group over another.

A big problem could be that the person leading the fight for independence (peacefully or military) is not automatically suited for leading a country. Especially military leaders are likely to create a oppressive regime that also prevent the developing of a strong economy.

Just as water finds its own level, Africa will also find its true position in the world. In the future there will be true African countries (with character), and not the artificial ones created by our white brothers. We trusted our white brothers but what do we see? They plundered, fed fat and rich on our resources, then left us with myriad of problems. No one put sheep and tigers in one compound. If Southern Sudan does not succeed, it means the world has got it wrong once again. Ask me for the solution.

This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the house rules. Explain.

Africa is becoming a vast sectarian war zone.

I would agree that there must be a clear divide between Christians and Muslims. As much as the Muslim nation cries out for peace, its actions towards Non-Muslims speaks profoundly different.

Africans must find peace in their lands, the separation of Sudan is long overdue and a clear separation of Christians and Muslims are needed. This is a sad fact but clearly a reality.

The other issue is Africa's history with tribal war lords who have their own agenda, this apart from Religion is also tearing the content apart. If a New Southern Sudan and other countries can Nationalize its people under their own single flag, and extend their internal peace with its people to its border neighbors, then Africa can be a more peaceful place to live and visit.

I have full hope for a new southern state for Sudanese Christians.

The problem with Africa is not countries or borders. The problems are larger ones, lack of education, the absence of human rights, severe corruption and lack of foresight. Breaking up countries does nothing but add more corrupt politicians to the African political landscape.

This is fascinating discussion, let me say that after 60 years of colonial, African leaders have done nothing but create hatred, unjust society, looting the wealth of the nations and grave yards; a lot of it.

I am Somalilander and i do understand and sympathize with all African who have done everything and sacrificed more than what they could afford to build a nation, create just and prosper society; That is a Nobel. In return they received a brutal treatment, discrimination, deprived of Economic Development, destruction and finally mass killing. How could I go back to the same situation i was in 20,30.... years ago, i am pretty sure the out come will be exactly the same, than why take a chance? i did once!!! "full me once; shame on you, full me twice; shame on me.

It's time to let people make their own decision based on their desire, needs, aspiration and wishes, who give me the right to make decision for some one else? I can't even impose my decision on my teenage children.

I am very happy to note that almost all the callers and and a lot of the participants on this episode did not support the idea of other African nations being encouraged to split but made it clear that the question simply does not apply. In fact the question is highly unneccessary. Talk about sowing bad ideas. Some people seem to sit down and decide Africans and African minds are puppets that they can play with whenever they want. I wish to say a personal thank you to all the callers and those who commented on this blog saying that the proposed split in one country in no way reflects the need of many Africans and is not a sign of anything to come. Just because there is a suggestion that a lot of Africans have been getting in touch to say they want a split does not mean they are the voice and representatives of Africa. Africans must not allow outside influence to affect the peace in Africa. There are other countries of the world - including countries in Europe - where people want to split. The only difference in this scenario is the fact that African shows do not go around sniffing for these countries and asking them if they will be happy to split from their neighbours.