The use of natural resources to influence state recognition: Africa as a laboratory / L’utilisation des ressources naturelles pour influencer la reconnaissance de l’État : l’Afrique comme laboratoire

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 102-130
Author(s):  
Michael J Strauss
Keyword(s):  
Natural Resources ◽  
International Law ◽  
Democratic Republic ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Critical Feature ◽  
Political Factors ◽  
Independent State ◽  
State Recognition ◽  
Ressources Naturelles ◽  
Droit International

The recognition of states is a critical feature of international law, defining the actors that are subject to it and conferring rights and duties related to their interactions with other states. This recognition is traditionally based on criteria that are deemed essential for a state to exist, even if political factors often play a role. In recent years, it has become apparent that state recognition and de-recognition is sometimes linked to the recognising state’s future access to natural resources found on the territory of the state whose sovereignty is being recognised there. Although this phenomenon is not openly stated, the evidence is circumstantial but abundant, and Africa is at the centre of it. This makes the continent a laboratory for the practice and its consequences, not only for the states involved but also for the broader recognition process. This phenomenon seems to be occurring in two ways. The first way in which this happens is when states use their capacity to produce natural resources that other states need in order to obtain concessions from those states in the form of recognitions of sovereignty over the territory involved. An example is Morocco and its enormous phosphate reserves: various African states that need phosphate for food production have de-recognised the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic as an independent state, while recognising Moroccan sovereignty over the same territory – the former Spanish Sahara. The other way in which this happens is illustrated by China’s investments in numerous African countries. The exploitation of natural resources that can be exported to China has been the primary motive for such investments. Some African states that have sought to attract investments have derecognised Taiwan and have recognised China’s sovereignty over the island. This paper describes and assesses the apparent links between African natural resources and the forces that influence state recognition, with a view to identifying the consequences for Africa and for states around the world more generally. La reconnaissance des États est une caractéristique essentielle du droit international ; définir les acteurs qui y sont soumis et leur conférer des droits et obligations liés à leurs interactions avec d’autres États. Cette reconnaissance est traditionnellement basée sur des critères jugés essentiels à l’existence d’un État, même si parfois les facteurs politiques jouent un rôle. Ces dernières années, il est devenu évident que la reconnaissance et le désaveu d’un État sont parfois liés à l’accès futur de l’État reconnu aux ressources naturelles trouvées sur le territoire de l’État dont la souveraineté y est reconnue. Bien que ce phénomène n’est pas clairement/ouvertement déclaré, la preuve est circonstancielle mais abondante, et l’Afrique en est le centre. Cela fait du continent un laboratoire pour la pratique et ses conséquences, non seulement pour les États concernés mais aussi en général pour le processus de reconnaissance. Ce phénomène semble se produire de deux façons. La première façon dont cela se produit est lorsque les États utilisent leur capacité à produire lesº ressources naturelles dont d’autres ont besoin enfin d’obtenir des concessions de ces États sous la forme de la reconnaissance de souveraineté sur le territoire concerné. Le Maroc avec ses énormes réserves de phosphate en est un exemple : divers États africains qui ont besoin de phosphate pour la production alimentaire ont désavoué la République arabe sahraouie démocratique comme un État indépendant tout en reconnaissant la souveraineté marocaine sur le même territoire – l’ancien Sahara espagnol. L’autre manière dont cela se produit est illustrée par l’investissement chinois dans beaucoup de pays africains. Cette exploitation des ressources naturelles que la Chine peux exporter est le principal motif de ces investissements, car certains États africains qui cherchent à attirer les investissements ont désavoué Taiwan et ont reconnu la souveraineté de la Chine sur le l’île. Cette article décrit et analyse les liens apparents entre les ressources naturelles africaines et les forces qui influencent la reconnaissance de l’État, dans un but d’identifier les conséquences pour l’Afrique et les États du monde en général.

International trade law dimensions of natural resources management in Africa / Dimensions du droit commercial international de la gestion des ressources naturelles en Afrique

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 308-354
Author(s):  
Regis Y Simo
Keyword(s):  
Natural Resources ◽  
International Law ◽  
Raw Materials ◽  
Economic Value ◽  
Natural Resources Management ◽  
Resources Management ◽  
Legal Norms ◽  
Ressources Naturelles ◽  
The World ◽  
Droit International

The extraction and processing of raw materials into commodities are not only attractive for their economic value but also for political reasons. This makes natural resources a source of extreme greed. In this context, regions rich in raw materials, such as Africa, become the scene of local and foreign speculation and, instead of contributing to the development of endowed countries, natural resources often become factors of fragility – hence the ‘natural resources curse’ phrase. While countries exercise sovereignty over their resources by virtue of international law, it has also become essential to develop more sustainable activities in order to continue to exploit these resources. Cognisant of these global environmental challenges, a great number of countries in the world are committed to safeguarding the planet, as can be seen from the adoption of the African Convention on the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources. At the international level, the multiplicity and complexity of legal norms applicable to the exploitation of natural resources can constitute an obstacle to their application. Indeed, while the scarcity of resources and the surge of environmental problems associated with their exploitation have led to greater reliance on international law because the stakes are global and permeate political boundaries, the corpus of international law rules is sometimes only indirectly relevant to natural resources, since they were not enacted to protect natural resources per se. This is the case of the rules of the World Trade Organization (WTO), which, while not adopted for that purpose, have a bearing on trade in natural resources. While all WTO members are required to open their markets to competition from abroad, WTO-covered agreements give them a certain leeway to regulate this flow in order to pursue societal goals. In other words, under certain circumstances, a WTO member is allowed to justify otherwise WTO-inconsistent measures in the name of legitimate domestic values. This paper focuses on trade rules that control the asymmetrical global distribution and exhaustibility of natural resources, especially export restrictions and their justifications in WTO law. The objective of this paper is to analyse the international and unilateral trade measures addressing non-trade concerns and their relevance for natural resources management in Africa. L’extraction et la transformation des matières premières en produits finis de base sont non seulement attractives pour leur valeur économique mais aussi pour des raison politiques. Ce qui fait des ressources naturelles une source de cupidité extrême. A cet effet, au lieu de contribuer au développement des pays qui y sont dotés, les régions riches en matières premières deviennent le théâtre des spéculations nationales et étrangères au point où les ressources naturelles deviennent des facteurs de déstabilisation d’où l’appellation de « malédiction des ressources naturelles ». Bien que les pays exercent la souveraineté sur leurs ressources en vertu du droit international, il devient essentiel de développer des activités plus durables afin de continuer l’exploitation de ces ressources. Conscient de ces problèmes environnementaux dans le monde, un grand nombre de pays dans le monde s’engagent à sauvegarder la planète, comme peut-on constater avec l’adoption de la Convention africaine pour la Conservation de la Nature et des Ressources naturelles. Sur le plan international, la multiplicité et la complexité des normes juridiques applicables à l’exploitation des ressources naturelles peuvent constituer un obstacle pour son application. En effet, si la rareté des ressources et la montée des problèmes environnementaux liées à leur exploitation ont conduit à une dépendance accrue au droit international parce que les enjeux sont mondiaux et dépassent les barrières politiques, les règles du droit international s’appliquent indirectement aux ressources naturelles puisqu’elles n’ont pas été promulguées pour protéger les ressources naturelles en tant que tel. Ceci est le cas des règles de l‘Organisation mondiale du Commerce (OMS), qui, bien que non adoptées ont une incidence sur le commerce des ressources naturelles. Bien que les membres de l’OMS ont obligations d’ouvrir leurs marchés à la concurrence étrangère, les accords couverts par l’OMS leur donnent un certain levier pour réguler ce flux afin de poursuivre des objectifs sociétaux. Autrement dit, dans certaines circonstances, un membre de l’OMS est autorisé de justifier les mesures incompatibles avec les règles de l’OMS pour des raisons de valeurs nationales légitimes. Cet article se focalise sur les règles commerciales qui contrôlent la distribution mondiale asymétrique et l’épuisement des ressources naturelles particulièrement les restrictions à l’exportation et leurs justifications d’après la loi de l’OMS. L’objectif de cet article est d’examiner les mesures internationales et unilatérales qui adressent les préoccupations non commerciales et leur importance sur la gestion des ressources naturelles en Afrique.

The dialectic between people and the State regarding free disposal of natural resources on the African continent / La dialectique entre le peuple et l’Etat en matière de libre disposition des ressources naturelles sur le continent africain

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-57
Author(s):  
Arnaud Lebreton
Keyword(s):  
Natural Resources ◽  
The State ◽  
African Continent ◽  
Free Disposal ◽  
Ressources Naturelles ◽  
De Se ◽  
Droit International

La question de la gestion des ressources naturelles sur le continent africain, souvent présenté comme victime d’une « malédiction de l’abondance »1, renvoie irrémédiablement à un principe cardinal du droit international contemporain dont le caractère coutumier a récemment été confirmé par la Cour internationale de justice2. Forgé à partir de 1952 sous l’impulsion de certains États d’Amérique latine et réaffirmé par de nombreuses résolutions des Nations unies, le principe de souveraineté permanente sur les ressources naturelles eut pour effet de mettre en lumière la complexité des relations entre la souveraineté et l’exploitation des ressources du sol et du sous-sol situées sur le territoire de chaque État. Bien qu’il soit devenu courant d’analyser le principe sous un angle strictement historique, lié au processus de récupération des ressources naturelles mené par les États nouvellement indépendants dans le courant des années 1960 et 1970, il ne semble pas avisé de le considérer comme tombé en désuétude. Au contraire, les politiques conduites dernièrement par plusieurs États africains en vue de se « réapproprier »3 leurs ressources naturelles montrent que les États entendent toujours se prévaloir de ce principe par le truchement d’une renégociation des contrats conclus avec des entreprises étrangères ou, a fortiori, en ayant recours à la nationalisation.

The Protection and Promotion of a People’s Right to Mineral Resources in Africa: International and Municipal Perspectives

2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 739-755
Author(s):  
Johan Van Der Vyver
Keyword(s):  
Natural Resources ◽  
International Law ◽  
South African ◽  
Annual Report ◽  
Mineral Resources ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Economic Rights ◽  
The People ◽  
Petroleum Resources ◽  
The Right

Abstract Development programs in many African countries include the reallocation of land and the nationalization of mineral resources for the benefit of less privileged communities in those countries. Implementing these programs is, however, quite complicated. This paper pays special attention to the confiscation of the land of white farmers in Zimbabwe as part of a development program, and the rapid decline of the economy of that country in consequence of this program. It serves as a reminder that depriving landowners of their property rights is counterproductive and is therefore not a feasible development strategy. As far as the right to explore natural resources is concerned, the paper highlights the repeated resolutions of the United Nations proclaiming the “inalienable right of all states freely to dispose of their natural resources in accordance with their national interests” as an inherent aspect of sovereignty [e.g. G.A. Res. 626, 7 U.N. GAOR, Supp. (No. 20), at 18, U.N. Doc. A/2361 (1952).], with occasional reminders that developing countries were in need of encouragement “in the proper use and exploitation of their natural wealth and resources” [e.g. E.S.C. Res. 1737, 54 U.N. ESCOR, Supp., No. 1 (1973).]. These resolutions were adopted in the context of the decolonization policy of the United Nations and were mainly aimed at denouncing the exploitation of the mineral resources of African countries by colonial powers [G.A. Res. 2288, 22 U.N. GAOR, Supp. (No. 16), at 48, U.N. Doc. A/6716 (1967)., para 3]. The emphasis of international law relating to the natural resources over time also emphasized the right to self-determination of peoples. As early as 1958, the General Assembly, in a resolution through which the Commission on Permanent Sovereignty over Natural Resources was established, stated that the “permanent sovereignty over natural wealth and resources” of states is “a basic constituent of the right to self-determination” [G.A. Res. 1314, 13 U.N. GAOR, Supp. (No. 18), at 27, U.N. Doc. A/4090 (1958).]. The African Charter on Human and People’s Rights similarly provides “All peoples shall freely dispose of their wealth and natural resources. This right shall be exercised in the exclusive interest of the people. In no case shall a people be deprived of it” [Art 21(1)]. This provision featured prominently in several judgments of courts of law, such as the one of the South African Constitutional Court in the case of Bengwenyama Minerals (Pty) Ltd & Others v Gemorah Resources (Pty) Ltd & Others [2011] (3) BCLR 229 (CC) (3) BCLR 229 (CC) and of the African Court of Human and People’s Rights in the case of Social and Economic Rights Action Centre (SERAC) v Nigeria (2001) AHRLR 60 (ACHPR 2001), Communication 155/96, 15th Annual Report. AHRLR 60 (Social and Economic Rights Action Centre (SERAC) v Nigeria (2001) AHRLR 60 (ACHPR 2001), Communication 155/96, 15th Annual Report.) Communication 155/96. In view of these directives of international law, the paper will critically analyze the South African Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act 28 of 2002, which deprived landowners of the ownership of unexplored minerals and petroleum products and proclaimed mineral and petroleum resources to be “the common heritage of all the people of South Africa” with the state as the custodian thereof.

Some current legal questions raised by the management of natural resources in Central Africa (States members and zone ECCAS) / Quelques questions juridiques actuelles soulevées par la gestion des ressources naturelles en Afrique centrale (États membres et espace CEMAC)

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 204-268
Author(s):  
Par James Mouangue Kobila
Keyword(s):  
Natural Resources ◽  
Central Africa ◽  
International Investment ◽  
General Interest ◽  
International Investment Law ◽  
Ressources Naturelles ◽  
Corona Virus ◽  
Investment Law ◽  
Droit International ◽  
The Right

Based on the case study of ECCAS’s member states, this study raises a series of problems which can be linked to the highly theoretical problematic of the relationship between international investment law and the regional law, two autonomous normative systems which pursue different objectives on the basis of international law standard that binds different parties. This study proposes short, medium and long term legal solutions which can be used by states to restore their sovereignty over their natural resources, in particular by indicating to them how to cancel the excessive tax expenditure granted to investors in establishment conventions and how to overcome stabilisation clauses inserted in these same state’s contracts. These measures are particularly useful in protecting states from possible legal consequences of measures taken in the context of the fight against the pandemic of the new corona virus. Finally, this study contains many proposals relating to the reform of investment law applicable to Africa, such as regionalism which would facilitate the generalisation of the right to regulate in the general interest. À partir du cas des États membres de la CEMAC, cette étude soulève une série de problèmes que l›on peut rattacher à la problématique éminemment théorique des rapports de système entre le Droit international des investissements et le Droit communautaire, deux systèmes normatifs autonomes qui poursuivent des objectifs différents sur le fondement de normes internationales liant des parties distinctes. Elle permet d’offrir aux États des solutions juridiques utilisables à court, à moyen et à long terme pour restaurer leur souveraineté sur leurs ressources naturelles, notamment en leur indiquant comment revenir sur les dépenses fiscales excessives accordées aux investisseurs dans les conventions d’établissement et comment faire échec aux clauses de stabilisation insérées dans ces mêmes Contrats d’État. Ces mesures s’avèrent particulièrement utiles pour protéger les États des éventuelles conséquences juridiques des mesures prises dans le cadre de la lutte contre la pandémie du nouveau Corona virus. Cette étude renferme enfin de nombreuses propositions relatives à la réforme du Droit des investissements applicable en Afrique, parmi lesquelles celle du régionalisme qui faciliterait la généralisation du Droit de règlementer dans l’intérêt général.

Constitutional Incorporation of the (Collective) Freedom to Govern Mineral Wealth: Comparing the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Republic of Zambia

2020 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-29
Author(s):  
Alexandra Carleton
Keyword(s):  
Natural Resources ◽  
Democratic Republic ◽  
Mineral Wealth ◽  
The People ◽  
Republic Of The Congo ◽  
The Republic

Constitutionalism may be gaining ascendancy in many countries in Africa. Yet thorough investigation of the extent to which current constitutions accord to the people their internationally recognised right to governance of their mineral wealth under Article 1(2) of the ICCPR has been lacking. Understanding the existing framework of rights which may support claims to land and natural resources is important. Constitutions of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Republic of Zambia demonstrate the reality of multiple, overlapping land interests and the limitations upon a people's claim to freely govern their mineral wealth.

Creative Reconstruction: A Systematic Approach to Reinventing Large Cities in Democratic Republic of Congo

2015 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 1485-1497
Author(s):  
Mia Nsokimieno Misilu Eric
Keyword(s):  
Cultural Values ◽  
Democratic Republic ◽  
Democratic Republic Of Congo ◽  
Mineral Resources ◽  
Capital City ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Republic Of Congo ◽  
Large Cities ◽  
Current State ◽  
Legacy Cities

The current state of large cities in Democratic Republic of Congo highlights the necessity of reinventing cities. More than fifty years after the independence, these major cities, like Kinshasa the capital city, are in a state of are in a state of disrepair. They are damaged, dysfunctional, and more vulnerable. Today, these legacy cities do not meet the international requirements of livable cities. Democratic Republic of Congo faces the challenge of rebuilding its cities for sustainability. The movement for independence of African countries enabled the shift from colonial cities to legacy cities. It is important to understand the cultural and ideological foundations of colonial city. Commonly, colonial cities served as purpose-built settlements for the extraction and transport of mineral resources toward Europe. What's required is a creative reconstruction to achieve a desired successful urban change. Creative reconstruction tends to ensure urban transformation in relation with urbanization, by making continuous and healthy communities. Creative reconstruction seems appropriate way of building back cities in harmony with cultural values. The article provides a framework for urban regeneration. The study is based on principle of thinking globally and acting locally in building back better cities.

Sovereignty, Self-Determination, and Natural Resources

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jérémie Gilbert
Keyword(s):  
Natural Resources ◽  
International Law ◽  
Indigenous Peoples ◽  
Potential Role ◽  
Food Sovereignty ◽  
Self Determination ◽  
International Human Rights Law ◽  
Human Rights Law ◽  
Ambivalent Relationship ◽  
The Right

The issue of sovereignty over natural resources has been a key element in the development of international law, notably leading to the emergence of the principle of States’ permanent sovereignty over their natural resources. However, concomitant to this focus on States’ sovereignty, international human rights law proclaims the right of peoples to self-determination over their natural resources. This has led to a complex and ambivalent relationship between the principle of States’ sovereignty over natural resources and peoples’ rights to natural resources. This chapter analyses this conflicting relationship and examines the emergence of the right of peoples to freely dispose of their natural resources and evaluates its potential role in contemporary advocacy. It notably explores how indigenous peoples have called for the revival of their right to sovereignty over natural resources, and how the global peasants’ movement has pushed for the recognition of the concept of food sovereignty.

Territorial Sovereignty

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Stilz
Keyword(s):  
Natural Resources ◽  
International Law ◽  
International System ◽  
Core Values ◽  
The State ◽  
Self Determination ◽  
Territorial Sovereignty ◽  
Collective Self ◽  
Political Units ◽  
Territorial States

This book offers a qualified defense of a territorial states system. It argues that three core values—occupancy, basic justice, and collective self-determination—are served by an international system made up of self-governing, spatially defined political units. The defense is qualified because the book does not actually justify all of the sovereignty rights states currently claim and that are recognized in international law. Instead, the book proposes important changes to states’ sovereign prerogatives, particularly with respect to internal autonomy for political minorities, immigration, and natural resources. Part I of the book argues for a right of occupancy, holding that a legitimate function of the international system is to specify and protect people’s preinstitutional claims to specific geographical places. Part II turns to the question of how a state might acquire legitimate jurisdiction over a population of occupants. It argues that the state will have a right to rule a population and its territory if it satisfies conditions of basic justice and facilitates its people’s collective self-determination. Finally, Parts III and IV of this book argue that the exclusionary sovereignty rights to control over borders and natural resources that can plausibly be justified on the basis of the three core values are more limited than has traditionally been thought.

The Crisis of the Ryukyus (1877–82)

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patrick Sze-lok Leung ◽  
Anthony Carty
Keyword(s):  
International Law ◽  
Colonial Power ◽  
Independent State ◽  
The People ◽  
The Us ◽  
The Status ◽  
Historical Viewpoint

Okinawa is now considered as Japanese territory, without challenge from most world powers. However, this is debatable from a historical viewpoint. The Ryukyu Kingdom which dominated the islands was integrated into Japan in 1879. The transformation is seen by Wang Hui as a process of modernization. This chapter argues the issue from an international law perspective. It shows that Ryukyu was an independent State as demonstrated by the 1854 Ryukyu–US Treaty, although it sent regular tributes to China. The Japanese integration by coercion is not justifiable. The people of Ryukyu were willing to continue being a tributary State rather than part of Japan. Britain, as the greatest colonial power, did not object. China and the US attempted to intervene in this affair, but no treaty has so far been concluded. Therefore, the status of Ryukyu/Okinawa remains unresolved and may need to be revisited, while putting the history context into consideration.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document