Have you ever examined a map of Africa and found yourself puzzled by its seemingly arbitrary borders? Despite being home to 54 diverse nations, many of Africa’s boundaries cut straight through mountains, rivers, and communities with little regard for natural divisions or historical affiliations. These lines were drawn not by the people who live here, but by colonial powers over a century ago. In this in-depth feature, we explore the historical forces, diplomatic maneuvers, and unforeseen events that have shaped Africa’s borders—legacies that continue to influence the continent’s politics, cultures, and economies today.
Ever Wonder Why Africa’s Borders Appear So Strange?
Africa is a continent of 54 countries, each with its own identity, language, and history. Yet, its borders often look peculiar—some are unnaturally straight, while others twist through mountains, rivers, and communities. How did they come to be this way? To understand this, one must delve into the continent’s pre-colonial political landscape, where powerful kingdoms, empires, and stateless societies thrived with fluid boundaries defined by cultural, linguistic, and economic ties rather than rigid territorial lines.
The Legacy of the Berlin Conference: Drawing Lines Without Consent
Most of Africa’s borders date back to the Berlin Conference of 1884-1885, where European powers gathered to partition the continent. The primary goal was to avoid conflict among themselves as they expanded their empires. Ironically, no African leaders were present at this meeting. Colonial powers drew lines on maps with little regard for natural features or cultural boundaries, dividing ethnic groups and communities that had coexisted for centuries. This is why some borders are strikingly straight, while others are oddly jagged—mere products of colonial convenience and diplomatic negotiations in distant European capitals.
These arbitrary divisions were often based on incomplete knowledge of Africa’s geography, leading to the creation of landlocked countries, fragmented communities, and regions with resource imbalances. This legacy of artificial borders has continued to fuel conflicts and political tensions across Africa.
The Unwanted Land: Bir Tawil
In northeastern Africa lies Bir Tawil, a small piece of uninhabited desert land that neither Egypt nor Sudan claims. In 1899, Britain drew a straight border along the 22nd parallel, separating Egypt and Sudan, then both under British rule. In 1902, for administrative reasons, Britain reassigned the resource-rich Hala’ib Triangle to Sudan and Bir Tawil to Egypt. After independence, Egypt stuck to the 1899 boundary, while Sudan preferred the 1902 one. Claiming Bir Tawil would mean giving up the Hala’ib Triangle, so both countries leave it unclaimed.
Bir Tawil remains one of the few unclaimed lands on Earth, attracting explorers and self-proclaimed micronation founders. However, its harsh desert conditions make it inhospitable, leaving its political status in limbo.
The Gambia: A Slender Nation with a Storied Past
The Gambia, Africa’s smallest mainland country, wraps narrowly around the Gambia River and is nearly surrounded by Senegal. The Portuguese first explored it in the 15th century, and it later became a hub for the transatlantic slave trade. Britain colonized it in 1821, and its borders were contested with then-French Senegal. In 1889, Britain and France agreed on The Gambia’s width, supposedly determined by how far cannonballs could be fired from British ships. Although this story is likely a myth, the country’s narrow shape reflects colonial interests and military power.
The Gambia’s strategic location along the river made it a valuable trade route, influencing its historical and economic significance. Today, its unique geography contributes to complex diplomatic and economic relations with Senegal, highlighting the enduring impact of colonial border-making.
Cabinda: Angola’s Separated Province
Cabinda is an Angolan province cut off from the rest of the country by the Democratic Republic of the Congo. During the Berlin Conference, Cabinda was recognized as a Portuguese territory, separate from Angola. However, Portugal later merged it administratively with Angola. When Angola gained independence in 1975, Cabinda was included, mainly for its vast oil reserves. This led to resistance from the Cabindan independence movement, which continues to seek separation from Angola.
Cabinda produces a significant portion of Angola’s oil, making it economically crucial yet politically contested. The ongoing conflict highlights how colonial decisions continue to influence national unity and regional stability.
Namibia’s Panhandle: The Caprivi Strip
Namibia’s Caprivi Strip is a narrow stretch of land reaching the Zambezi River. In the late 19th century, Germany controlled Namibia and wanted a direct trade route to German East Africa. In 1890, Germany traded Zanzibar to Britain for control of this strip, hoping to use the Zambezi River for transport. However, they overlooked Victoria Falls, rendering the route useless for navigation.
This oversight is a testament to colonial ignorance of African geography. The Caprivi Strip has since been a hotspot for political instability and ethnic tension, demonstrating the lingering effects of colonial boundary-making.
Lesotho: An Enclave in South Africa
Lesotho is a small landlocked country surrounded by South Africa. In the 19th century, the Basotho people, led by King Moshoeshoe I, defended their land against Zulu and Boer invasions. Seeking protection, they became a British protectorate in 1868. Unlike neighboring regions, Lesotho was never incorporated into South Africa, allowing it to avoid apartheid and become independent in 1966.
Lesotho’s geography—entirely mountainous—served as a natural fortress, preserving its sovereignty. Today, its unique political status poses challenges and opportunities in its relationship with South Africa.
The Many Guises of ‘Guinea’
West Africa is home to three countries with ‘Guinea’ in their names: Guinea (formerly French Guinea), Guinea-Bissau (Portuguese Guinea), and Equatorial Guinea (Spanish Guinea). Each name reflects its colonial history. Additionally, Papua New Guinea was named by Spanish explorers who thought its people resembled West Africans. The name ‘Guinea’ itself comes from an old Portuguese term for the West African coast.
This naming convention showcases the influence of European exploration and colonialism on African identity and geography.
Two Congos, One River
Across the Congo River lie two nations: the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Republic of the Congo. Both were named after the ancient Kingdom of Kongo but were colonized by different European powers—Belgium and France, respectively. Their shared history and name stem from the river that shaped a powerful African kingdom.
Despite their common heritage, the two Congos have followed different political trajectories, shaped by their colonial experiences. This shared yet divided history illustrates the complexities of African identity and statehood.
Unresolved Borders: The Western Sahara Conflict
Western Sahara, once a Spanish colony, has been embroiled in a longstanding dispute since Spain’s withdrawal in 1975. Morocco laid claim to the region, while the Polisario Front—representing the Sahrawi people—declared the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic, advocating for independence. Mauritania initially claimed part of the territory but renounced its claim in 1979, further intensifying the conflict. This ongoing dispute underscores how arbitrary colonial-era borders—drawn without regard to ethnic or cultural realities—continue to generate political instability and humanitarian challenges.
The Ilemi Triangle & Lake Malawi/Nyasa: Borders Caught in Historical Ambiguity
The Ilemi Triangle is a border area where historical ambiguity has persisted since colonial times. Originally left undefined by British authorities to manage local tribal territories, this area is now claimed by Kenya, South Sudan, and Ethiopia, resulting in complex, overlapping claims that fuel regional tensions.
Similarly, the Lake Malawi/Nyasa Dispute between Malawi and Tanzania has its roots in colonial treaties. Malawi bases its claim on agreements like the 1890 Heligoland Treaty, while Tanzania argues for a median-line boundary that aligns with international norms. Both disputes highlight the enduring impact of colonial administrative oversights in demarcating natural features, leaving a legacy of unclear boundaries that continue to provoke diplomatic friction.
The Ogaden Region: Ethiopia and Somalia’s Contentious Frontier
The Ogaden Region in eastern Ethiopia illustrates another facet of colonial legacy. Divided without consideration for the ethnic Somali populations inhabiting the area, the colonial-era borders have led Somalia to assert historical claims over the region. This division contributed to recurrent conflicts, notably the Ogaden War in 1977–1978, and continues to underpin ongoing tensions. The Ogaden case exemplifies how the artificial splitting of ethnic communities has set the stage for enduring regional instability.
The Lasting Impact
Africa’s borders are far more than mere lines on a map—they are the enduring legacy of colonial ambition and conflict. As the continent forges its path toward unity and progress, these boundaries serve as a constant reminder of a past marked by external imposition and internal resilience. By understanding the complex history behind these divisions, we not only gain a clearer perspective on Africa’s present but also lay the groundwork for a future where national identity and self-determination prevail. In acknowledging these legacies, we celebrate a continent defined by its rich diversity and unwavering spirit, ready to shape a united and prosperous tomorrow.