Africa Through the Prism of the Sudan War: Reconfiguring Internal “Castles” Across the Region

Abstract: The raging conflicts and coup d’état across the face of Africa is a testament of a region in turmoil. This article argues that despite the unique challenges engulfing the continent, Africans should stop pointing accusing fingers at foreign states by adopting inward strategies to reconfigure its internal “castles” to enhance the socio-economic and political developments of the region and its peoples. Although foreign and geo-political interests cannot be discounted from the prevailing coups, yet this article keenly contends that a courageous, visionary and decisive leadership is needed to steer the African Union in the direction of the European Union, and as exemplified in the Franco-German model. Furthermore, it argues that with an altruistic leadership, corruption can be minimized to provide adequate funding to create an independent regional medical research centers to develop medicines and health care strategies uniquely responsive to African needs. Finally, it is proposed that strategic initiatives such as the nascent African Continental Free Trade Area (ACFTA), coupled with substantive regional military force should be established to intervene legally to curb wanton coup d’etats, thereby providing stability to shore up critical developmental projects necessary for the growth and development of the region.

Key words: Sudan, conflicts, internal castles, free movement, regional solutions, good leadership

JEL code: F