Which African states do you think could have stood a better chance at surviving intact throughout the scramble of Africa? This is either as independent states in the manner of Ethiopia or where they are colonised but the existing territorial state and perhaps government is maintained as a figurehead such as Morocco, Egypt, Rwanda or Burundi?
In terms of specific examples I was thinking if it was possible to retain Mahdist Sudan, basically as a result of a disagreement between the French and British over who gets the territory. Is it possible to have the two powers more or less agree to come to an agreement to leave Sudan as a nominally indendent state, so that neither side can have it. I imagine such a state would be subject to numerous concessions allowing the French and British to pursue their economic and strategic objectives in the country so it would not be a fully independent state. I would also imagine the reigning Caliph of the Mahdists being deposed in favour of someone more pliable ( perhaps putting up the Mahdi's youngest son who collaborated with the British historically)