Chapter 232
"According to the current map, we've gained so much new territory. For easier governance, I propose we reorganize the existing administrative districts into provinces," announced King Constantin.
Previously, East Africa had 18 administrative regions, plus two under military control – the southwest (Zambia) and the northeast (Somalia). Among those 18, 17 lay in the east; the only western region was East Katanga. Of those 17 eastern regions, excluding the Central Region and northern Omo Ratte special zone, the other 15 encompassed what used to be Tanzania, Kenya, and the Great Lakes area.
Constantin had long wanted a reform. East Africa was huge yet sparsely populated, so dividing the east into such small districts wasted officials. Furthermore, new expansions altered local boundaries, impacting defense. For example, in the southern frontier bordering Portugal along the Ruvuma River, merging the East Lake Malawi region with the Lower Coastal region would be best, easier to handle a potential Portuguese threat. The East Lake Malawi region's presence was weak—centered on Songea, overshadowed by Mbeya—while the Lower Coastal region had the good port of Mtwara, a robust capital in Rohn Roda, and Mtwara had been built partly for both districts' use.
The Middle Coastal region was weaker still, lacking its own port and relying on the Central Region. Historically, Kilwa Kisiwani Island was powerful in medieval times, but it declined into ruins. East Africa currently didn't plan to develop new harbors. The Middle Coastal region might join the Central Region, which alone included two excellent ports. East Africa also had a Great Grassland region deep inland – once set up for its huge wildlife area – plus the Lake Malawi region with Mbeya, which now seemed too small.
Beyond these issues, the newly occupied northeast (Somalia) and southwest (Zambia) remained complete blanks. A simple solution was merging some eastern areas, freeing up staff to manage the new lands. This approach matched what the Meiji government was doing in Japan, though Japan was more extreme in centralizing power while East Africa wasn't.
"Sire, indeed, we should break up or re-merge certain ambiguous districts – for example, Omo Ratte (the Omo River valley and far northern Kenya). It used to be our northern frontier, but now our border extends to central Somalia near the Shabeelle River. We could unify everything north of it for dealing with local tribes plus the British and French on the Red Sea," an official advised.
"Yes, but there's also the Abyssinian Empire – large, populous, ancient – a potential threat," Felix said.
"I see the opposite. Abyssinia poses us no threat: from strength or benefit. Even if they equaled us, they wouldn't fight. We already have every advantage: time, place, and people (the German immigrants). The Abyssinians won't push us," objected von der Leyen.
The Abyssinian core was in northern Ethiopia. East Africa's Omo Ratte spent years subduing the Oromo, Luo, and Cushitic tribes nominally linked to Abyssinia, while the empire – taught a lesson by Britain – pretended not to see. East Africa had no reason to push further north: it had removed the pure black tribes, solving 80% of its "northern threat." With altitudes 1,000 meters higher than East Africa, Ethiopia's highlands wouldn't suit East African settlers. That explained southwestern expansions, where altitudes matched East Africa's, meaning no altitude sickness. Many German immigrants came from southern Germany or Austria, which also lie in the highlands. Soldiers used to plateau warfare found southwestern expansion as natural as "coming home."
"We've taken all the cheap gains. We'll grab a few defendable spots up north and stop. Abyssinia's wedged among Britain, France, and Egypt – they face bigger threats than us," said Siweite.
Yes, the empire wouldn't be so foolish; East Africa had only to fortify passes. Abyssinia had no reason to go south. The southern highlands had negligible economic value. Modern Ethiopia found it the least populous and poorest area anyway.
"Look at Egypt wrapping the empire from the south. This is the age of the seas, and Abyssinia lacks a coastline – their future is obvious," someone remarked.
…
May 23, 1870
After discussion, East African leaders decided to set up provinces modeled after Europe, dropping the old "regions." They'd factor terrain, economics, environment, and defense to produce a final map.
"In northern Somalia, the boundary should follow the rivers," an official suggested.
"Hmm, no, let's cross the rivers," said Felix, sketching a line between the Jubba and Shabeelle.
"That way, the Shabeelle oasis can feed the north, avoiding supply runs from the south. Just the land north of the Shabeelle wouldn't do."
"All right, next," the king said.
"Should we pick Mogadishu as the capital?"
"That port's too exposed and far from inland – not suitable for a provincial capital. Perhaps Beledweyne on the Shabeelle's southern bank."
"Fine, but we should also create a separate military town in the northwest corner. Mogadishu and Beledweyne are both too far to handle any threat out there."
"Then let's choose Diredawa Village, at the foot of the mountains. It's crucial militarily."
"Agreed."
"What about the Jubba River valley? For a capital?"
"Same approach – one port, one inland town. Kismayo might be more developed, but it's too far east. Let's pick Baidoa."
"All right."
"I propose the new South Salzburg Province unify the Lake Malawi region by centering everything on Karonga Port, facilitating lake patrols. That helps in war, coordinating with the army, and blocking invasions from the lake's north."
"Sure, incorporate the old Malawi Kingdom. At Karonga, set up a River-Lake Corps sub-center."
…
Hence on May 23, 1870, the East African Kingdom announced its administrative overhaul, forming new provinces:
Tropical Desert Region
1. Turkana Province (capital: Omo Ratte), around Lake Turkana;
2. Northern Province (capital: Beledweyne; Mogadishu Port, Diredawa Military Town), facing British Somaliland, French Djibouti, and the Abyssinian Empire.
3. Jubba Province (capital: Baidoa; Kismayo Port), with Baidoa on the Jubba River.
Given their desert climate, these three have large areas but minimal farmland, except Turkana, which has water from the lake.
Changes to the 3 major districts in southern Kenya
1. Eastern Province (capital: Mombasa), old East Kenya plus some new territory;
2. South Prussia Province (capital: Nairobi), old Central Kenya region;
3. Eastern Great Lakes Province (capital: Kisumu), old West Kenya region.
Changes to old Tanzanian districts
1. Coastal Province (capital: Tanga Port), old Upper Coast District;
2. Central Province (capital: First Town [the capital], with Bagamoyo & Dar es Salaam as ports), merging the old Middle Coast.
3. Marine-Lake Province (capital: New Yuan City, near Mtwara Port, Rohn Roda & Songea), merging East Lake Malawi & Lower Coast.
4. South Salzburg Province (capital: Mbeya, plus Karonga Lake Port), combining the East African Highlands & Katanga Highlands, thus bridging them.
5. Highlands Province (capital: Dodoma), old Central Highlands.
6. Kilimanjaro Province (capital: Arusha), replaced the old North Highlands region, relocating from Karatu to Arusha.
7. South Great Lakes Province (capital: Mwanza), absorbing part of the Great Prairie.
8. Hohenzollern Governorate (capital: Kigoma), old Soren Lake area, also absorbing part of the Great Prairie.
Near the Great Lakes, minimal changes
1. West Great Lakes Province (capital: Bujumbura).
2. North Great Lakes Province (capital: Kampala).
Tropical Rainforest
1. Mitumba Province (capital: Kindu), in rainforest & partial savannah.
2. Hessen Province (capital: Kisangani), rainforest climate.
Zambia & Katanga Highlands
1. West Katanga Province (capital: Lubumbashi).
2. East Katanga Province (capital: Kazembe).
3. West Highlands Province (capital: Ndola).
4. Western Province (capital: Mongu).
5. Southern Frontier Province (capital: Lusaka).
6. Walonga Province (capital: Bose).
Two Islands
1. Pemba Island (New Hamburg City).
2. Mafia Island (Mafia City).
Protectorate:
Zanzibar Sultanate, with stationing of East African troops.
That totals 24 provinces, 26 provincial-level entities, plus 1 protectorate.
(Admin map: East African Kingdom)
In this reform, the Great Prairie region was split. Its capital Tabora joined the new South Great Lakes Province as a secondary city to Mwanza. Along Lake Malawi's northwest shores, territory was merged into South Salzburg Province. The capital remains Mbeya, while Karonga remains the second-largest city. Merging in part of the Katanga Highlands, South Salzburg Province spans both East and Katanga Highlands, strengthening its transport hub position.
They confirmed Pemba Island and Mafia Island as special jurisdictions and clarified Zanzibar's protectorate status. The new Kilimanjaro Province replaced the old North Highlands, shifting the capital from Karatu to Arusha near Tanga & Mombasa Ports. The Lower Coast merged with East Lake Malawi into the Marine-Lake Province, capital newly built at "New Yuan City," between Rohn Roda & Songea. Some places took on Germanic names—New Hamburg, South Salzburg, South Prussia Province, Hessen Province, and the Hohenzollern Governorate.
Defense-oriented provinces mainly included South Salzburg, Marine-Lake, and Northern Province, to guard against other colonial powers. Regions bordering only native tribes had less need for that. Following the reorganization, East Africa set up governing institutions in newly occupied zones like Zambia, sorted local tribes, exiled the old, weak, and disabled, crushed rebels, and used fit adult slaves to fill the labor gap in the eastern "workforce."
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