The African states themselves have expended great effort to defend those lines even as they complain about their effects.
Even in the sad case of Somalia, the international system insists that the nonsensical state of Somalia should still exist rather than accepting regional governments able to exercise some de facto sovereignty as new members of the system.
But if you can't beat the lines on the map, perhaps it is better to join them. The African Union is being strengthened:
A document enhancing the powers of the African Union's executive body was approved at about 4 a.m. (0200 GMT) after many hours of discussions at the summit, Benin's Foreign Minister Jean-Marie Ehouzou, told reporters.
"We haven given agreement for the coordination of foreign affairs and defense," he said.
"The states are ready to cede a little bit a part of their sovereignty for the benefit of the (Union)."
The document has to be ratified by member states' parliaments before it comes into force.
Perhaps making the lines on the map less important is the way to move Africa forward. Lord knows I think it is folly to do this in Europe, but Africa's problems are so great that perhaps this will reduce the amount of their limited resources expended on battles over those lines.
