Africa’s colonial-era maritime borders are stirring up modern conflicts, threatening cooperation, security, and resource management among its 38 coastal nations. Many of these outdated boundaries remain unresolved, fueling disputes over rich oil fields, fisheries, and deep-sea resources. Attempts to settle them through international law often worsen tensions, especially under the “winner-takes-all” uti possidetis juris principle. These legal outcomes, such as those seen in the Nigeria-Cameroon Bakassi case, leave lasting scars and disrupt livelihoods. Experts now propose joint management agreements as the path forward, encouraging collaboration, shared patrols, and sustainable use of marine resources. As ocean wealth grows and climate change reshapes coastlines, Africa must pivot from colonial frameworks to collective solutions to secure its maritime future.
The Conversation
