In a sci-fi story I'm working on, every continent and major country has been sealed off to prevent outside interference and stop the spread of a disastrous plague. This specifically to Africa. It was one of the least affected areas on the planet making it very valuable. The scenario is that after a century or so of no foreign interference, the chaos of the plague has cased Africa to become engulfed in a continent-wide civil war.
Two major sides emerge, one is a group led by a warlord who want to unite the diverse continent under one language, one culture, believing that it is Africa's diversity that has been responsible for it being land that has been long dominated by foreigners. He was unpopular at first because this meant that his followers would have to give up their unique cultural identity, but now he has become popular do to the wealth he has brought many people which has given him a great military power. Because of this many have chosen follow (or forced) to follow his will. Along with this he preaches a message of paranoia believing that when the borders open, foreign groups will once again come to control Africa's vast resources, made even more valuable because of its untainted land.
The other side is a group nationalists that compose of the remnants of major African countries that don't want to abandon their culture. They are weaker because the diversity they are fighting to keep leads to much inner conflict.
The story involves a group of Americans who investigate the continent and find themselves in the middle of the war. It seems that the warlords ramblings of paranoia are coming true..
My question what language and culture should the first would this warlord attempt make dominant? I don't want to seem like I'm generalizing the thousands of different ethnic groups and languages of the continent and I want the scenario to resemble reality with a slightly exaggerated circumstance. I'm wondering where exactly what place in Africa it should be set in. I had the of the Arabic population being the most vocal against this warlord. I'd just like to hear any comment on what I can do to make this more authentic.
Two major sides emerge, one is a group led by a warlord who want to unite the diverse continent under one language, one culture, believing that it is Africa's diversity that has been responsible for it being land that has been long dominated by foreigners. He was unpopular at first because this meant that his followers would have to give up their unique cultural identity, but now he has become popular do to the wealth he has brought many people which has given him a great military power. Because of this many have chosen follow (or forced) to follow his will. Along with this he preaches a message of paranoia believing that when the borders open, foreign groups will once again come to control Africa's vast resources, made even more valuable because of its untainted land.
The other side is a group nationalists that compose of the remnants of major African countries that don't want to abandon their culture. They are weaker because the diversity they are fighting to keep leads to much inner conflict.
The story involves a group of Americans who investigate the continent and find themselves in the middle of the war. It seems that the warlords ramblings of paranoia are coming true..
My question what language and culture should the first would this warlord attempt make dominant? I don't want to seem like I'm generalizing the thousands of different ethnic groups and languages of the continent and I want the scenario to resemble reality with a slightly exaggerated circumstance. I'm wondering where exactly what place in Africa it should be set in. I had the of the Arabic population being the most vocal against this warlord. I'd just like to hear any comment on what I can do to make this more authentic.