Author(s)

Theodore Okonkwo

Department of Public Law, Faculty of Law, University of Port-Harcourt, Port-Harcourt, Nigeria.

Africa’s borders are bestride with many challenges ranging from religious and terrorist movements to cattle rustling, military conflicts to human trafficking. The challenges are endless, but whether the boundary disputes are terrestrial or maritime, they are mostly about security and prestige. Growing human population, political awareness and environmental challenges mean that the problems are likely to heighten, unless they are resolved. Despite the provisions of UNCLOS, Africa has several unresolved maritime boundary disputes. In this light, this article aims to examine the African situation, and discuss the challenges involved in the delimitation and management of maritime boundaries in Africa. This article presents the issues, causes, essence and the security imperative of maritime boundary disputes in Africa.

Maritime Boundary Disputes, Africa, UNCLOS, Delimitation, Maritime, Boundaries, Border Disputes, Exclusive Economic Zone, Continental Shelf, High Seas

Okonkwo, T. (2017) Maritime Boundaries Delimitation and Dispute Resolution in Africa. Beijing Law Review, 8, 55-78. doi: 10.4236/blr.2017.81005.