Why Africa must resolve its maritime boundary disputes

Africa has to resolve its maritime boundary disputes in a timely and concerted manner, or risk missing out on vital economic development opportunities.

African maritime boundary disputes, unless resolved in a concerted and timely manner, will imperil both the short and long-term implementation of maritime policies and strategies. African states and stakeholders must prioritise boundary dispute resolution if vital maritime economic development is to occur. This brief first outlines the background against which maritime boundary disputes occur in Africa, and explores why such disputes are a threat to maritime security. This is followed by an overview of the responses and mechanism that can resolve disputes. The third section explores recent contestations and how they are being, or might be, resolved. Some recommendations are made in the final section.

About the author

Timothy Walker was appointed as a researcher focusing on maritime security in the Conflict Management and Peacebuilding (CMPB) Division at the ISS in 2013. Prior to this he worked as an intern in the Conflict Prevention and Risk Analysis division of the ISS, before joining CMPB as a consultant to manage the Observatoire de l’Afrique programme in September 2011. Tim is a graduate of Rhodes University in Grahamstown, South Africa, where he read for degrees in political and international studies (BA, BA Hons and MA).