Navigating the Tension Between Sovereignty and Self-Determination in Postcolonial Africa Blueprints for the Midcentury

​This book addresses the unique challenges faced by Africa regarding peaceful self-determination.

This book addresses the unique challenges faced by Africa regarding peaceful self-determination. Unlike other regions, Africa has seen limited success in nonviolent self-determination campaigns. Since 1989, only three African nations - Namibia, Eritrea, and South Sudan - have joined the UN after enduring prolonged and violent struggles for independence. In a world characterized by constant change, border alterations typically require armed conflicts in postcolonial Africa.

In response to this disconcerting trend, the book offers pragmatic blueprints for achieving peace, emphasizing constitutional approaches to navigate the delicate balance between sovereignty and self-determination. The work delves into the complexities of five self-determination struggles spanning three African countries, providing valuable insights into the challenges faced. It distils six critical lessons from these case studies and presents fourteen blueprint proposals tailored to address the unique dynamics of postcolonial Africa, where reconciling sovereignty and self-determination remains a pressing concern.

Philip C. Aka is Regional Director of Global Academics Coalition, LLC, a US higher-education consultancy firm, as well as former Dean and Professor of Law, International University of Sarajevo, among other prior academic positions. A member of the Illinois State Bar since November 2004, Professor Aka received a Doctor of Juridical Science degree from the Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law at Indianapolis; a PhD degree in political science from Howard University; a Juris Doctorate degree from Temple University Beasley School of Law in Philadelphia; an LL.M. (summa cum laude) degree from the IU Robert H. McKinney School of Law; an MA degree in political science from the University of North Texas; and a BA (magna cum laude) degree in political science from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania. Most recently, Professor Aka completed two certificate programs, including one in Conflict Resolution from Cornell University in June 2021. He is author and coauthor of more than 110 publications, including seven books, two of which are published by Palgrave Macmillan.