ABSTRACT
The divisions and differences on the African continent are what African states and Africans make of them. African states and Africans can use the divisions and differences as grounds for positive identities and values which enhance regional relations or as grounds for negative identities and values which militate against regional relations. Therefore, it is possible to transcend these divisions and differences if African states and Africans are willing to form positive identities and adopt positive values that enhance regional relations. In this sense, the divisions and differences on the continent are neither necessary nor sufficient for African states and Africans to discriminate against one another. Nevertheless, the divisions and differences discussed in the preceding chapters socialise African states and Africans into forming various identities and adopting various values. The identities result in both more powerful and less powerful groups who in turn may adopt positive or negative values. The values may be inclusionary or exclusionary. When more powerful groups adopt inclusionary values, they recognise and accommodate less powerful groups. But when the former adopt exclusionary values, they discriminate against and dominate the latter.
