Borders are one of the universal traits that countries share in common. Although the formation of borders in Africa is contentious, the protection of states territorial sovereignty at an international, regional and domestic level has become the subject of much discussion over the years. Boundaries have had a considerable political, social and strategic impact on African states. The discussion of borders is an interdisciplinary one that examines the far reaching impacts that it has, as it shapes and informs the cultural, economic, environmental and social character of a people, and as such the nation state. Borders and borderlands in Africa have become spaces where the nexus of security, development, crime, conflict and politics often interface and collide.
The identity of a state was tightly centred on the national identity with geographic boundaries. This ascription of territory to statehood can be traced generally to the Peace of Westphalia in 1648. The colonial political geography originates from the Berlin Conference of 1884-85. The outcomes thereof not only imposed on Africa its present borders, but also attempted to assimilate Africa into the European concept of nation-states with clearly defined and demarcated borders. There are approximately 110 inter-state boundaries in Africa and various other inter-state borders that criss-cross the length and breadth of the African continent. In addition to this, there are about 14 landlocked African states, which is more than the rest of the world put together. This is primarily a result of the colonial rationale of African political geography, which in turn has presented modern Africa with problems.
With the establishment of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), trade facilitation on the continent is projected to increase
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How a state defines or determines the purposes and functions of its boundaries is essential to its success in controlling its territory, and this, in turn, has a profound impact on its neighbouring states in a number of ways. The residue of the delimitation of African boundaries has significantly impacted the tremendous diversity presented by ethnic composition, socio-economic structure, and physical characteristics of the sub-region having far-reaching spatial consequences for the nature and spiral of conflict and economic trade relations. The delimitation of borders has had a significant impact on trade facilitation in Africa. As Okumu noted “Delimiting a boundary implies more than defining it in a treaty. It also implies determining its purpose and functions before or after the demarcation.” How do fragile or conflict-affected states, with lack of resources and capacity effectively manage their borders to cultivate a security and trade nexus?
Take for example the push and pull factors facing Sudan, which is surrounded by countries experiencing economic challenges, conflict, and political repression in the Horn of Africa and in central Africa. Sudan is therefore a major transit country for migrants from Eritrea, Ethiopia and Somalia who are evading poverty in their home countries and seeking a better life in Europe. This is compounded by Sudan’s long and porous borders with its neighbours to the east and south, which coupled with relaxed border controls, have enabled huge numbers of migrants to cross international borders. Trafficking of migrants has proven lucrative enough that those charged with stopping it ultimately facilitate it, profit from it, or turn a blind eye to the migrant flows.
Security threats attached to border control like violent migration, human trafficking, drug smuggling and transnational organised crime have found relevance in all domestic states’ security threat perception. These security threats will and have had an impact on trade facilitation in Africa. There is a nexus between border security and trade facilitation. With the establishment of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), trade facilitation on the continent is projected to increase. It is said that the AfCFTA is going to become the world’s largest free trade area bringing together the 55 countries of the African Union and 8 Regional Economic Communities to create a single continental market for goods and services. The main aim of the AfCFTA is to reduce tariffs among members and cover policy areas such as trade facilitation and services, as well as regulatory measures such as sanitary standards and technical barriers to trade.
Trade integration across the African continent has long been limited by outdated border and transport infrastructure and a patchwork of differing regulations across dozens of markets. Governments have often erected trade barriers to defend their markets from regional competition, making it more expensive for countries to trade with neighbours than countries much further afield. The AfCFTA promises broader and deeper economic integration and would attract investment, boost trade, create jobs, reduce poverty, and increase shared prosperity in Africa.
On the other hand, trade and trade policy can greatly affect the risk of conflict. The World Bank outlines that trade encourages the reallocation of resources to more efficient activities, and thus opens up opportunities and creates jobs. However, changes in relative prices as a result of trade can also destroy opportunities and jobs in declining sectors, and the people affected by these losses may, under certain conditions, turn to violence as a source of income. Changes in real incomes generated by trade are particularly important in fragile states, where trade flows tend to be larger and more volatile than other external flows, such as aid, remittances and foreign investment. In addition, the majority of fragile countries are net food importers, so they are particularly exposed to the recent swings in international food prices.
One of the key areas of trade facilitation is border management and control. Therefore cross-border coordination of government activities within a country and among Member States of the AfCFTA (e.g. through mutual administrative assistance and exchange of relevant information) is vitally important for the free, smooth and unhindered flow of international trade. Malfunctioning government authorities at a border, in particular Customs administrations, have a strong negative impact on the economic development of a country because they cause, for example, high transaction costs and long clearance times.
The nexus between trade and border conflict management is important in facilitating inclusive economies, trade liberalisation and economic integration in Africa
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The nexus between trade and border conflict management is important in facilitating inclusive economies, trade liberalisation and economic integration in Africa. Poor border management caused by conflicts can deter the effective realisation of the implementation of the AfCFTA. Below are recommendations to mitigate border insecurity in order to give effect to African trade:
- The AfCFTA Secretariat should develop a border control and management policy that guides Member States on how to create mutual border administrative assistance and exchange of relevant information for the purpose of border control
- Member States should improve border infrastructure and reform immigration laws and policies to align and facilitate trade regardless of insecurity
- Member States should deploy security forces at borders to assist in the facilitation of trade
- Member States to ensure appropriate allocation of financial resources and technical support towards border security and conflict management and resolution
- Members State to ensure the peaceful resolution of border disputes at their early stages
- Member States to implement the African Border Programme to ensure the continuous delimitation and demarcation of borders, cross-border cooperation, and capacity building
- Member States should foster cross-border community centred conflict resolution mechanisms in an effort to cultivate secure integrated trade relations.
Karabo Mokgonyana is the first and former African Union Youth Ambassador for Peace for Southern Africa. She is a Legal and Development Practitioner that focuses on human rights protection, international trade and investment and peace and security. Michlene Mongae is a researcher and MA candidate in Military Strategy at the University of Stellenbosch.
