African Union

African Union
Founded in 2002 CE and modelled after the EU, the African Union is the last in a long line of organisations meant to unify the African nations. Numbering more than 50 members at its peak, AU lost some of its most prominent members during the Sundering, as Idurat and KwaZulu forces claimed their respective territories to the north and south of the continent.

Since then, AU has been boxed between the two Mithbari regions but remains unique among other international groups as the only one that encompasses all the Earth countries of a single continent. Protected at its borders by massive walls, it is neutral towards other countries but suffers from internal strife between the remaining member countries.

Angola
If not for the recent civil war, the country would have been one of the wealthiest in the world prior to the Sundering. Stunned by the swift conquest of Namibia and their other southern neighbours by the KwaZulu armada, Angola was the first country to erect what would later be known as the South Great African Wall, a massive structure made of rock and cement.

Since then, Angola has made good use of their wealth and now serves as one of the trade centres of the AU. The country also maintains a decent military force that is stationed mostly near the wall, ready to defend against any invasion by KwaZulu. While several skirmishes proved they would not really be that effective, that remains secret as they are a national symbol.

Central African Republic
CAR's main export during the Sundering was diamonds for industrial use, yet the majority of the people did not lead lives that reflected that. The shift in global politics led to a change in the country's politics as well, foreigners were purged and the industry passed to local hands. Just a few years after the invasion, citizens of CAR were able to enjoy the fruits of diamond trade.

The rising standard of living resulted in a rise in literacy levels and soon the country claimed several scientists, researchers and engineers. Nearly a century later, CAR is the heart of all R&D in the AU, claiming some of the most advanced facilities in the continent. For that reason, the country enjoys a semi-neutrality and is protected by all AU members against the others.

Chad
One of the poorest countries in the world during the time of the Sundering, Chad was exploited by domestic and foreign interests that left 80% of the people below poverty levels. When their neighbours to the north were invaded and conquered by Idurat forces, the people of Chad were certain they were next. While this did not happen, it drove the exploiters away.

Free to use their vast oil reserves for the good of the people, Chad quickly gained wealth and one of the first applications of it was to fund their army and the construction of their portion of the North Great African Wall. Despite their apparent protectiveness, they are one of the few African countries to openly trade with Idurat, something that has not earned them many allies in the AU.

Congo Zaire
Already bordering country-wide poverty, Congo and DR Congo were among the poorest African countries in the early 21st century. The way out of depression would come in the form of a prolonged war between the two countries that resulted in the near-destruction of both armies and the devastation of all major cities, leaving the countryside torn but still fertile.

Following the war, the two countries united under a common name and a revamped version of Mobutism. While the majority of the people work in agriculture, the country is known for its airports, civilian and military, that stand where the old cities used to. Acting as the headquarters for AU's airforce, Congo Zaire remains a country with a strong national identity.

Equatorial Cameroon
Before the Sundering happened, the countries of Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea and Gabon relied on exporting oil for the greatest portion of their wealth. Fearing conquest or annexation by other African nations, they quickly saw merit in joining forces less than a decade after the invasion, thus forming a new country with massive oil reserves and the firepower to defend them.

Responsible for much of the AU's production in crude oil and raw material, Equatorial Cameroon is ruled by a merchant elite that regulates the oil trade. Countries in the AU are treated favourably in trade but others are forced to trade in high prices. The majority of the people make a decent living in the oil industry and most can afford a much better life than the majority of Africans.

Ethiopia
One of the oldest known countries in the world, Ethiopia has had a troubled history. For several decades in the late 20th century, Ethiopia country served as the poster country for famine and poverty in the world. Civil war only added to the problems and it was during the time of the Sundering that the country's economy began to show signs of improvement.

While the Sundering did little to improve things, Ethiopia is one of AU's major agricultural centres and one of the few countries trading goods with the EU. Ruled by an ancient dynasty that controls all trade and has amassed most of the wealth, the country is officially a federation and hides the inequalities within under the pretence of a rural economy that relies on the people.

Ghana Faso
Nobody could have guessed what would happen to the countries of Benin, Burkina Faso, Cote d'Ivoire, Ghana and Togo during the time of the invasion and few would bet on the outcome resulting in something so civilised. Most of these countries were torn by internal conflict when the invasion took place and it acted as a trigger for the complete collapse of the governments.

While originally the countries devolved into tribal territories warring among themselves, a few decades later peace was brokered and now the united country is one of the prominent members of the AU. Most of its wealth comes from trade with American countries and the production of various goods, none the least of are gold, crops and crude oil.

Kenya
Traditionally an agricultural country, Kenya made several openings in heavy industry and tourism during the early 21st century. While the country was not directly affected by the invasion, it was forced to rely on internal industry after the Mithbari armies started claiming territories. This would eventually be the key for the development of the country into a major player in the AU.

In the decades that followed, Kenya became the industrial centre of the AU, and one of the trade centres with Asia. Working closely with the research facilities of CAR, Kenyan factories are responsible for most of the advanced technology in the AU. There are rumours among the other members that Kenya either stole or received their know-how as payment from KwaZulu.

Land of Niger
Following several years of internal conflict, the countries of Niger and Nigeria were still struggling with debt and poverty when the invasion armies appeared. Feeling threatened by the conquest of Algeria and Libya by Idurat forces, Niger tried to expand to the south, turning its army against Nigeria. After a brief war, the two countries became one.

A military nation throughout most of the 21st century, the new country maintains a tentative peace with its neighbours. They erected their section of the North Great African Wall circa 2030 CE and have guarded it since with a significant portion of their army. The country's economy relies mostly on the export of minerals and goods to their neighbouring countries.

Mauritania
Mauritania was already facing several charges against blatant violations of human rights when the armies of Idurat conquered its neighbours to the north. Fear of an invasion only forced the hand of the military leadership of the time and living conditions became increasingly worse for the general population. In 2011 CE the army brought Western Sahara under their banner.

Few members of the AU admit it in public but Mauritania is the perfect prison for any unwanted members of the population. Thriving in slavery and human trafficking, Mauritania is still ruled by the military and the vast expanses of Western Sahara are used as a death camp. Unofficially, the country trades slaves to several nations outside the AU that tolerate or embrace slavery.

Mozambia
Struggling with poverty at the time of the Sundering, Zambia had to deal with waves of refugees from Malawi and Mozambique after these countries were conquered by the KwaZulu Armada. Stunned they did not share their fate, they quickly used all available resources to erect their section of the South Great African Wall and man it with significant forces.

Several decades and a few governments later, the country was renamed to reflect the mixed population. Trade with KwaZulu was initiated and the country's mines started drawing workers from the fields. This has made some of their neighbours distrust them, While Mozambia is not a rich country by any stretch, the living conditions for the people have improved greatly.

Sierra Guinea
The countries of the northwest corner of the AU, Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Senegal and Sierra Leone would remain unaffected by the invasion if not for the civil unrest that led to the creation of Ghana Faso. The unrest spread to the west and soon these countries were facing a complete collapse of infrastructure and waves of immigrants.

Fearing complete destruction, their rulers took the bold step of creating a federation for mutual protection. A smaller version of the AU, the new country is self-sufficient and full of internal conflicts. In the decades that followed the Sundering, Sierra Guinea became the centre of AU's navy and claims a significant merchant fleet as well, due to favourable taxing policies.

Somalian Coast
During the early 21st century, the countries of Eritrea and Djibouti were at the verge of poverty, while their neighbour, Somalia, was enjoying a thriving informal economy. The conquest of Egypt by Idurat forces resulted in shockwaves that would remove all support from the first two, enabling the third country to annex them soon after in the name of protection.

Originally, the Coast was to serve as the AU's main energy provider, as well as one of its trade centres to the east. In 2022 CE, this would change dramatically as the infamous Somali pirates banded under a single banner and took control of the country. Since then, all trade with foreigners is controlled by them and the people only exist to work the energy plants, under pirate rule.

Tanzania
Torn by decades of civil war and genocide, Burundi and Rwanda were barely functioning as countries at the time of the Sundering. Tanzania on the other hand, was starting to develop a steady economy based on tourism, agriculture and mining. Following the complete collapse of the two smaller countries, they were annexed by Tanzania circa 2015 CE.

The decades that followed established the country as a major trade centre for the AU, and its main tourist attraction. It was the last country to construct a section of the South Great African Wall and its relations to KwaZulu remain neutral at worst. Relatively peaceful, the country relies on its geopolitical importance for protection from its allies in the AU.

Uganda
Privileged among other AU countries, Uganda was spared most of the civil unrest and turmoil that followed the Sundering. While the country saw many refugees from neighbouring countries, they were quickly integrated into its society and, by the end of 2023 CE, the immigrants were thought of as natives to Uganda. The country's economy remained based on agriculture and tourism.

Uganda was already acting as a trade hub for its neighbours in the early 21 st century and that role was reinforced by its stability in the decades that followed. As the century reached its end Uganda expanded its role, and it now serves as the economic centre for all of the AU, with all the benefits of such a position, leading many to draw parallels between Uganda and Switzerland.

United Sudan
Sudan was at the verge of economic collapse following the civil unrest that would eventually lead to the secession of South Sudan but the invasion came as a blessing for the government of North Sudan. Using the threat of Idurat as an excuse, the Sudanese army would invade the south and crush all resistance, uniting the country under a common banner once more.

Being the only true Arab country of the AU, Sudan was forced to severe all ties with the Arab League and the Islamic Conference, committing itself fully to the AU. Despite that, the country maintains some trade relationships with the IC and is distrusted by most AU members. They are hostile to Idurat and were among the first to erect their section of the North Great African Wall.