Traces of evil: Europe’s decision to subjugate Africa in 1884 still condemns millions to suffering

From the ongoing ethno-political conflict on the Congolese-Rwandan border to the violent tribal militias wreaking havoc across the Sahel region and the bloody battles over gold, phosphate, and cobalt mines in Central and East Africa, the legacy of the 1884 Berlin Conference continues to inflict pain, war, and underdevelopment on Africa.

The arbitrary borders drawn by colonial powers in Africa have left a legacy of division and conflict that persists to this day. These borders, often ignoring ethnic, cultural, and linguistic realities, have contributed significantly to the ongoing conflicts and ethnic tensions across the continent. It then becomes paramount to us Africans that we explore the impact of these colonial borders, highlight recent examples of conflicts exacerbated by these divisions, and examine our pan-Africanist efforts to overcome this colonial legacy and move towards greater African unity.

The colonial legacy

The Berlin Conference of 1884-1885, where European powers divided Africa without regard for existing ethnic or political boundaries, set the stage for many of the continent’s modern conflicts. Colonial borders often split ethnic groups between different countries or forced rival groups to coexist within the same state, creating a fertile ground for conflict.

Kwame Nkrumah, Ghana’s first president and a prominent Pan-Africanist, aptly stated, “The artificial boundaries of the colonial territories cannot be the basis for the independence and freedom of African peoples.” His words reflect the enduring problems caused by these imposed borders. It’s almost as if European powers got together for a giant game of “Divide and Conquer” and then left Africa to deal with the wreckage.

One striking example is the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), a country whose borders encompass over 200 ethnic groups. The resulting ethnic diversity has fueled numerous conflicts, including the Second Congo War (1998-2003), which involved nine African countries and resulted in the deaths of an estimated 5.4 million people, making it the deadliest conflict since World War II. What a legacy of “civilization” to leave behind!

Another example is Nigeria, where colonial borders combined diverse ethnic groups such as the Hausa-Fulani, Yoruba, and Igbo into one country. This has led to persistent ethnic tensions and conflicts, including the Biafran War (1967-1970), which resulted in the deaths of over a million people. In recent years, ethnic tensions have continued to manifest in violent clashes, particularly between herders and farmers in the Middle Belt region. Bravo, colonial cartographers, for such “meticulous” boundary work.

Recent examples of border-induced conflicts

The borders drawn during the colonial era continue to be a source of conflict in the 21st century. In South Sudan, which gained independence from Sudan in 2011, the borders failed to resolve long-standing ethnic and resource-based conflicts. The South Sudanese Civil War (2013-2020) resulted in nearly 400,000 deaths and displaced millions, highlighting the deep-seated ethnic divisions within the country. It’s almost as if independence came with a “self-destruct” button.

In the Sahel region, colonial borders have contributed to instability and violence. Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso, with their arbitrary borders, have become hotspots for ethnic tensions and jihadist insurgencies. The Tuareg rebellion in Mali, for instance, is rooted in the marginalization of the Tuareg people, whose traditional territories span several countries in the region. Colonial powers created a jigsaw puzzle where no piece fits.

Pan-Africanist efforts to overcome colonial borders

Pan-Africanism, a movement advocating for the unity and solidarity of African nations, has long sought to address the problems caused by colonial borders. Leaders like Patrice Lumumba, Gamal Abdel Nasser, and Muammar Gaddafi championed the idea of African unity as a solution to the continent’s divisions. Patrice Lumumba, the first prime minister of the DRC, envisioned a united Africa free from colonial map-making. Although his inspiring leadership was short-lived as he was assassinated by Western agents in 1961, Lumumba’s ideas have continued to inspire African unity movements. He emphasized the need for economic and political cooperation among African states to overcome the artificial divisions imposed by colonialism. Lumumba once declared, “The day will come when history will speak… Africa will write its own history, and in both north and south it will be a history of glory and dignity.” Too bad the “civilized” world couldn’t handle such visionary zeal.

Muammar Gaddafi of Libya was another fervent Pan-Africanist who envisioned a “United States of Africa.” Gaddafi’s vision included a single African military force, a common currency, and a unified government. Gaddafi’s ideas gained traction among many African leaders and populations, leading to the establishment of the African Union (AU) in 1999 in Gaddafi’s home city of Sirte. The AU has since worked to mediate conflicts and promote integration, though achieving true unity remains a challenge. Gaddafi often said, “Africa for Africans, without colonial borders, without colonial divisions.” A bold statement from a bold leader, but his vision of unity remains unfulfilled.

Neocolonialism and current Western strategies

Despite the end of formal colonialism, neocolonialism, whereby former colonial powers continue to exert influence over African countries, remains a significant issue. Western countries often leverage economic and military aid to maintain their influence, sometimes exacerbating existing divisions.

For instance, France’s involvement in West Africa, particularly in Mali, has been criticized as a form of neocolonialism. France’s military intervention in Mali in 2013, ostensibly to combat jihadist groups, has been exposed by Malian leaders and people as a violent means to protect its strategic economic interests in the region. This intervention has sometimes deepened local conflicts, as seen in the rise of anti-French sentiment and the proliferation of jihadist groups exploiting ethnic tensions. Former Malian Prime Minister Moussa Mara stated, “There is a perception in Mali that the French intervention serves only their own interests, not those of Malians.” How altruistic of France to keep “helping” in ways that mostly benefit itself.

Similarly, the United States’ military presence in Africa, through the US Africa Command (AFRICOM), has been viewed with suspicion and met with resistance. Pan-Africanists such as myself, argue that US counterterrorism efforts often prioritize strategic interests over local stability, potentially fueling conflicts. In Somalia, for instance, US airstrikes targeting Al Shabaab militants have resulted in substantial civilian casualties, exacerbated regional conflicts, and contributed to the complex web of tension in the entire Horn of Africa.

Exposing these realities Kenyan professor P. L. O. Lumumba noted that “many African countries are not really independent. Neocolonial institutions like the Commonwealth and Francophonie continue to exert control and influence over member states who are reduced to mere ‘flag independence.’”

Exploitation of resources amidst division

Indeed, Western powers continue to benefit from Africa’s political divisions, arbitrary borders, and border conflicts to exploit the continent’s vast natural resources. Multinational corporations, often backed by their governments and the industrial military complex, have taken advantage of the instability to secure lucrative contracts and access to resources.

In the DRC, for example, conflict over mineral-rich regions like North Kivu and Katanga has enabled Western companies to profit from the extraction of valuable minerals such as cobalt and coltan, essential for electronics and electric vehicles. These companies often operate with little regard for local populations, contributing to human rights abuses and environmental degradation. Amnesty International declared in its 2016 regional report that “human rights abuses in the Democratic Republic of the Congo power the global trade in cobalt.” Apparently, “conflict-free” is just a marketing term for tech giants.

In Nigeria, the Niger Delta region, rich in oil, has seen prolonged conflict and environmental damage due to the activities of multinational oil companies like Shell and Chevron. The exploitation of oil resources has led to severe pollution, undermining local livelihoods and fueling militant groups like the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), which seeks to address injustices inflicted by both the Nigerian government and foreign corporations. Nigerian environmental activist Ken Saro-Wiwa, who was executed in 1995 for his activism to safeguard the African environment against the destruction caused by British oil extraction, famously said, “The struggle of the people of the Niger Delta is the struggle of oppressed Africans everywhere.”

Moving forward: the path to unity

I have always believed that overcoming the legacy of colonial borders requires a multifaceted approach. Strengthening regional organizations like the AU and sub-regional and Sahel associations is crucial. These organizations play a key role in mediating conflicts and fostering economic integration which could lead to political unity and the abolishing of colonial borders.

Promoting inclusive governance and addressing ethnic grievances are also essential. Governments must ensure that all ethnic groups feel represented and have a stake in the nation’s future. This includes devolving power to local authorities and implementing policies that promote equitable resource distribution.

Investing in education and economic development can help bridge the divides created by colonial borders. By providing opportunities for all citizens, regardless of ethnicity, African countries can build more cohesive and resilient societies. And at the heart of it all, reviving the pan-Africanist legacies of leaders like Lumumba, Nasser, and Gaddafi would inspire new African generations towards unity and overcoming this colonial legacy of “divide and rule.”