Self-determination and interdependence in Sudan and the Horn of Africa

Political instability in the Horn of Africa region is often attributed to self-determination struggles threatening to alter the established post-colonial boundaries. This article suggests that self-determination should be seen as more than simply a synonym of secession. Territorial separation may be unavoidable when conflicts reach a point of no return, but it is just a step towards the fulfilment of popular aspirations for good governance and development, not an end in itself. Taking Sudan as a case study, the article shows how secession is more about managing interdependencies than achieving mutual isolation. Extending our outlook to the regional level, we contend that the management of interdependence is the key to defuse the current tension between fragmentation and unity in the Horn of Africa. Interdependencies can cause conflicts at the local and national level when they produce highly asymmetric power relations and when they are managed outside a regulated framework. Conversely, if entrusted to proper institutional mechanisms, interdependencies can help to overcome the centre-periphery imbalances that have characterized state-formation in the Horn of Africa and foster regional integration.