Typology of border disputes in the African continent

Document Type : Original Research

Author
M. rasouli
Assistant Professor of Geopolitics Department, African Studies Center, Tarbiat Modares University, Iran,Tehran
Abstract
Borders represent the main security interests of countries and determine the extent of a country's geographical area. Considering that the continent of Africa was a colony of transcontinental powers for many years, therefore, most of the borders of the countries in this continent have been drawn colonially and by European governments in order to secure their national interests and goals. This has caused borders to be one of the most important sources of tension between African countries after decolonization and independence. This research with descriptive-analytical method and using Super Decision software, seeks to answer these questions, which are the most important differences in the African continent? And what is the weight of each of these indicators? The findings of the research show that the borders in this region include three groups of border disputes (land- related conflicts, border-related conflicts, conflicts over common interests and sources), factors that aggravate border disputes ( inefficient leadership, inefficiency of regional and international organizations, political instability, bio ecological issues, geo-economics, …. ), and factors that reduce border disputes ( commitment to cooperate as African union , regional cooperation in the frame of regional organizations and border complementation, and border age). The results of the research also indicated that the border disputes in the African continent are the result of the colonial period, and in the initial stage of border development, i.e. border delimitation, it has stopped. Therefore, in order to resolve border disputes and determine border points, we need to formulate and approve border laws at the regional level through the creation of dispute resolution mechanisms at the level of the African continent.


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