Territorial
disputes in Africa: ongoing differences
The latest posts of the series TERRITORIAL
DISPUTES centred on Africa and referred to their historical origins and current
implications. Broadly, the United Kingdom, France and a few other non-regional
powers divided the African continent following European understanding in law
and politics (and, arguably, their own interests). A territory originally
defined sociologically was apportioned following different criteria.
The posts will now introduce individual
TERRITORIAL DISPUTES within Africa. The differences are divided into two
categories:
- First, the posts will introduce disputes between African and non-African parties.
- Secondly, the review will centre on regional differences between African parties only.
2018 and
they are still there
The times of colonialism and Empire are
long gone. Or else? Surprisingly, there are still some TERRITORIAL DISPUTES in
Africa that involve non-regional parties (European). Somehow, former colonial
powers have still presence in Africa and dictate directly or indirectly the
internal and international agenda in what geographically is a different
continent, and legally and politically, a different entity.
Some of these cases have France (Banc du
Geyser, Basas da India, Europa island, Juan de Nova island, Glorioso islands),
Spain (Ceuta, islas Chafarinas, Melilla), and the United Kingdom (pervasive interference
in many African regimes) acting in starring roles in these disputes.
From African territories completely
controlled from Paris, Madrid and London to more subtle situations in which
local groups are financed by the European capitals, the interference is still
ongoing in many places doing very little to secure peace and legal, political,
social and financial stability. It is not strange, therefore, that these
central capitals label African counterparts as pseudo-states or failed states
and continue with their interference under the umbrella of humanitarian
intervention, humanitarian aid, and similar.
The next posts will introduce a sample of
individual case studies in which non-regional parties are present.
For an up-to-date list of TERRITORIAL
DISPUTES in Africa and more detailed information
Jorge
Emilio Núñez
Twitter:
@London1701
22nd October 2018
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