African Borders Beyond Berlin-We Must Ensure Our Borders Serve African Interests, Not Those Of Europeans And Foreigners-Prof. Wafula Okumu
February 19, 2025
By Tim Wanyonyi*
Understanding that African borders function differently from European ones is key to managing them effectively, says Prof Okumu
In the winter of 1884–1885, German Chancellor Otto von Bismarck invited representatives from 13 European and American countries to the Berlin Conference. Their mission? To carve up Africa as if it were an unclaimed landmass, drawing arbitrary lines that ignored the millions of people who had lived, governed, and traded there for centuries.
The Berlin Conference laid the foundation for Africa’s modern-day borders, yet its impact still ripples through the continent today, shaping political tensions, conflicts, and economic opportunities.
This year marks the 140th anniversary of that fateful conference, and Africa still grapples with border and sovereignty issues. While some disputes stem from historical injustices, others are fueled by modern political interests. The biggest question remains: Can Africa ever move beyond the borders imposed by Europeans and create boundaries that serve its people?
Some believe that unresolved border conflicts require international mediation, with organizations like the African Court of Justice and Human Rights taking the lead before external entities such as the International Court of Justice in The Hague step in.
But Kenyan border expert Prof. Wafula Okumu, director of The Borders Institute (TBI) in Nairobi, argues that Africa’s border disputes cannot be blamed solely on the colonial past. He points to South Sudan as a case in point.
When South Sudan gained independence in 2012, Africa was given a golden opportunity to erase colonial traces and redraw boundaries based on its realities. Prof. Okumu was part of a high-level panel led by former South African President Thabo Mbeki, tasked with determining the boundary between Sudan and the newly formed South Sudan.
The process wasn’t meant to be just a technical exercise—it was a chance to give clarity and finality to a long-standing territorial dispute. But more than a decade later, Google Maps still doesn’t show a clear dividing line, and on the ground, tensions remain high.
If this were purely a technical issue, it would have been solved long ago using modern satellite technology. The real problem, Okumu argues, is that African leaders continue to politicize borders, sometimes using disputes as weapons to strengthen their grip on power.
Can you tell us what happened next?
If you look at Africa’s map, every border is artificial. Even where boundaries follow rivers, mountains, or deserts, they are lines drawn by Europeans who had no understanding or respect for the people living there. Despite this, many Africans live as if these borders don’t exist. Shared languages, cultures, and traditions stretch across countries, making African borders more fluid than the rigid, fortress-like frontiers seen in Europe.
Why is it important to make that distinction?
Understanding that African borders function differently from European ones is key to managing them effectively. Unfortunately, the language we use when discussing borders often works against us. Terms like “artificial” and “arbitrary” reinforce the idea that African countries are stuck with colonial borders forever.
This thinking dates back to the 1964 Organization of African Unity (OAU) resolution on colonial boundaries. While its main goal was to prevent an outbreak of wars over land and resources, it also cemented colonial-era divisions as permanent.
This decision was made at a time when many newly independent African states were fragile, but it also shut down opportunities for countries to rethink and redefine their borders in ways that would better serve their people.
Why do African countries insist they cannot change borders created by colonialists?
The problem goes back to the early 1960s when African leaders were trying to balance newfound independence with the need for stability. The OAU adopted a position that maintaining colonial-era borders would prevent unnecessary conflicts. But in doing so, they also locked Africa into a framework that doesn’t always serve its best interests.
Some leaders feared that altering borders would lead to chaos, but ironically, many conflicts today stem from these very colonial boundaries. By refusing to revisit them, African countries remain trapped in disputes that could be resolved through dialogue and cooperation.
If the OAU accepted colonial borders in 1964, why are there still so many border conflicts on the continent?
After the 1964 agreement, many African leaders believed that border disputes were a thing of the past. However, history has proven otherwise. Political agendas, competition over resources, and the emergence of new power struggles have kept Africa’s borders a source of tension.
In some cases, communities reject imposed borders because they do not align with their historical, cultural, or economic realities. Many African countries continue to enforce colonial-era treaties that make it difficult for border communities to trade, move freely, or access resources they’ve relied on for generations. This creates unnecessary hardship and breeds resentment.
How can such conflicts be resolved?
It starts with shifting the conversation. Instead of blindly accepting colonial borders, African leaders need to ask: How can we make these boundaries work for our people?
This doesn’t mean redrawing the entire map—it means rethinking policies and adopting flexible border management strategies. Cross-border trade should be encouraged, not restricted. Citizenship laws should recognize the realities of communities that straddle two nations. And governments must work together to manage shared resources fairly.
What are the benefits of managing borders this way?
Across Africa, countless communities have never recognized colonial borders as barriers. Their lives, livelihoods, and social networks exist beyond these artificial lines. Governments should embrace this reality rather than impose rigid policies that disrupt long-standing traditions and economic systems.
For instance, why prevent people from trading with their neighbors just because they live on opposite sides of a border? Why enforce policies that make it harder for families to reunite, or for pastoralists to move with their livestock? These outdated restrictions do more harm than good.
By taking a more flexible and people-centered approach to border management, African governments can unlock economic opportunities, strengthen diplomatic relations, and create a sense of unity that transcends colonial divisions.
The way forward
It’s time for African countries to take ownership of their borders in a way that serves their interests, not those of foreign powers. The Berlin Conference may have drawn the lines, but Africa has the power to determine what those lines mean today. That starts with policies that reflect the realities of the people who live along these borders.
Governments must recognize that their citizens don’t see borders the way colonial mapmakers did. By fostering cooperation instead of division, Africa can finally move beyond the legacy of Berlin and build a future where borders are no longer sources of conflict but bridges to prosperity.
