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