ABSTRACT
Proceeding from the preceding chapter's introduction, or preliminary analysis, of ‘the divisions based on which Africans are differentiated’ and ‘the differences based on which Africans are divided’, this chapter offers a detailed description and explanation of the geographical, linguistic, racial and religious divisions and differences. Prima facie, some divisions and differences do not manifestly determine or influence regional relations in Africa, in this sense, they are less problematic than other divisions and differences. For instance, this chapter concedes, ab initio, that religious divisions and differences are more of intra-national problems and less of regional problems. Nevertheless, this chapter still examines whether, if at all, the major divisions and differences including religion affect regional relations. Then the chapter examines to what extent each division and difference negatively affects regional relations. If, in the first place, it is established that any division and difference affects regional relations, then examining to what extent it affects regional relations is important to understanding the African condition in the twenty-first century. Hence, this chapter analyses how the major geographical, linguistic, racial and religious divisions and differences shape the scopes and contents of regional relations in Africa.
