Kush Versus Egypt’s Relations (2000 B.C.E - 700 B.C.E): Implications for the Development-Oriented Regional Integration of West African States

Abstract

Kush and Egypt had a robust existence in Ancient history. Their existence shared a common identity in terms of economic, political and strategic relations. Kush, among other Ancient city States had a historical relationship with Egypt which was short, snappy and brief but yet rich with abundant lessons for modern States. This study examines the historical existence and relationship between Kush and Egypt with the view to extrapolating its relevance to regional integration in West Africa. What are the defining factors of Kush's ascendancy and exploits in the Ancient civilization? What factors influenced Kush's development as a hitherto slave trade market and subsequently economic force bearing from its relationship with Egypt? Can member States of West Africa collaborate to achieve a strategic agenda that will achieve development within the sub-region? Are there unharnessed development potentials innate in the West African sub-region? These and more causes of enquiry will form the basis for this historical research which discovered that the social-inclusive policy of the Kush's administration paved way for the development of Kush. The study recommends that social-redistribution and domestic recapitalization approaches towards regional integration in West Africa, as could be extrapolated from Kush versus Egypt relations (2000 B.C.E- 700 B.C.E), devoid of member States' individual interests, will create room for development and regional integration in West Africa.