The idea that Africa could be united under one
leader, one currency, and a parallel governing body often surfaces in
discussions and forums, especially among Pan-Africanists. While this vision
reflects the dreams of our forefathers and civil rights pioneers, it sometimes
feels far-fetched.
Africa certainly needs greater unity: there is no
doubt. But can true unification really happen in the near future?
Realistically, Africa may have had a better chance of achieving this in the
precolonial and immediate post-colonial periods than today. The idea of “one
Africa” is inspiring, but perhaps not practical. Instead, Africa’s best path
lies in national development and stronger regional economic blocs.
One major challenge to unification is Africa’s
ethnic, religious, and cultural diversity. The continent has at least 3,000
ethnic groups, with West Africa alone accounting for over 1,200. Nigeria itself
has more than 400 ethnicities. Today, inter-ethnic conflicts remain common. In
Sudan, clashes between communities in the Darfur region and Blue Nile states
persist. In South Sudan, tensions between the Dinka and Nuer remain unresolved.
In Kenya’s northwest, pastoralist groups clash over scarce resources during dry
seasons. Ghana’s Bawku region also experiences recurrent disputes between the
Kusasi and Mamprusi. These are only a few examples, and similar conflicts occur
across the Democratic Republic of Congo and other parts of Africa.
Religion, much like ethnicity, has also been a
source of discord among Africans. At the dawn of colonialism, many Africans
turned away from their native faiths and embraced Christianity or Islam. Over
time, they became deeply versed in these religions, in fact sometimes even more
committed and theologically rigorous than those who first introduced them.
Soon, strict interpretations and doctrinal disputes emerged, often directed
against fellow Africans who practiced slightly different beliefs. Today, Africa
is dotted with religious movements, some of which adopt extreme positions,
determined to convert others to their way of worship.
Language presents yet another hurdle. Colonialism
left Africa with multiple European languages layered on top of native tongues
and trade languages. A typical African today may speak a local language, a
regional lingua franca, and a colonial language. Proposals to adopt Kiswahili
as a common African language are promising, given its wide use in East and
Central Africa, but widespread adoption for administration and governance would
take time and resources.
Cultural diversity further complicates unity. North
Africans, for example, share many traditions, languages, and cuisines with
Middle Eastern societies, while Sub-Saharan Africans have different cultural
identities. These differences do not mean Africans cannot cooperate, but they make
it harder to forge a single cultural or political identity across the
continent. History shows that unification is easier among groups with shared
traditions and values.
Unification becomes even more difficult when we
consider that many nations are seeking autonomy from borders drawn in the past.
For instance, Sudan’s split and Western Sahara’s ongoing struggle reflect a
broader trend: communities prefer smaller states built around shared cultures,
languages, and identities, rather than a larger union held together only by
geography or race.
A more realistic approach to unity is strengthening
regional trade and integration. Lower tariffs and freer movement across borders
would allow, for example, a farmer in Lesotho to easily trade livestock with a
farmer in Timbuktu. Regional blocs like the East African Community (EAC) are
showing promising growth and may represent the most practical form of African
unity. Over time, these blocs might expand cooperation and integration, though
full continental unification could take centuries.
Ultimately, wanting a united Africa is one thing;
working toward it is another. For now, the dream of one Africa remains distant.
The chances of full unification today are as unlikely as the Sahara running out
of sand. Still, through strong regional cooperation, Africa can grow stronger,
more connected, and more prosperous—even if complete political unity remains
out of reach.