The Problem of De Facto States in International Relations in Africa

In Africa, the emergence of the first unrecognised/de facto states is
intricately linked to colonial legacy and subsequent decolonisation.
This legacy maintained the newly formed African states within the
artificial boundaries established on the continent by European colonisers. Paradoxically, both currently existing unrecognised states on the
African continent, Western Sahara and Somaliland, aspire to function
as independent entities within these colonial boundaries.
This volume delves into the issue of de facto states in Africa and their
impact on international relations on the continent. The book explores
theoretical and legal issues, such as international subjectivity, as well
as the origins of de facto statehood in Africa. It offers an in-depth
analysis of historical and contemporary examples of de facto states
on the continent.
The authors conduct a thorough examination of the Western Sahara
and Somaliland cases, highlighting their significance for international
relations regionally and continentally. Additionally, they draw comparisons with de facto state cases in other parts of the world, such as
Taiwan (Republic of China) or West Papua.