Territorial disputes in Africa: a recap.
The past four posts introduced the historical reasons behind the territorial disputes in Africa. Indeed, we have made clear this is a broad introduction and there are particular elements related only to each individual difference. Yet, there is a constant issue: colonialism and imperialism and the way in which the borders were delineated by powers outside Africa.
Arguably, despite we could assume good will at the time these borders were agreed, it is a fact they were designed taken into account interests that may coincide with those of the Africans but do not necessarily do.
Many explanations were given at the time (geography, social development, economy, conflict amongst them). Nowadays, some of these earlier explanations are still present. However, there is a clear message from academia, politicians, activists and many others that the “reasons” behind the partition were not that benign.
So far, the last two posts included references to documents that referred to natural resources in light of territorial disputes in Africa. The next posts will introduce other components such as people, forced migration, cultural imposition, assimilation (not inclusion), arms trafficking, terrorism and environmental issues.
After introducing these key elements related to territorial disputes in Africa at large, the posts will focus the attention on some cases in particular to assess and evaluate their own components. Once we present the larger background and the specific cases the posts will conclude by exploring a way to solve them.
Posts about territorial disputes and Africa so far:
NOTE:
This post is based on Jorge Emilio Núñez, Territorial Disputes and State Sovereignty. International Law and Politics (Routledge 2020).
Previous published research monograph about territorial disputes and sovereignty by the author, Jorge Emilio Núñez, Sovereignty Conflicts and International Law and Politics: A Distributive Justice Issue London and New York: Routledge, Taylor and Francis Group, 2017.
NEXT POST:
Territorial disputes and people in Africa
Friday 09th October 2020
Dr Jorge Emilio Núñez
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