A new book by Kent Public International Law expert Dr Gbenga Oduntan critically examines the application of contemporary international law to the resolution of territorial boundary disputes in the African continent.
In International Law and Boundary Disputes in Africa, published by Routledge, Dr Oduntan offers an in depth analysis of the legal, socio-political and anthropological factors at play in disputes over land and maritime boundaries. He argues that the predominant use of foreign based adjudicatory mechanisms to resolve disputes is alienating and can contribute to the recurrence of conflicts and disputes in and among African territories. Instead, Dr Oduntan suggests understanding and applying multidisciplinary resolution mechanisms and strategies can bring about more effective settlements.
Dr Oduntan is a Senior Lecturer in International Commercial Law at Kent Law School and has primary research interests in public and private international law, particularly in relation to international courts, tribunals and arbitration. He has been an expert consultant for the African Union Border Programme since 2008 and is a member and Legal Adviser to the United Nations Cameroon-Nigeria Mixed Commission. He is also a member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators.
Earlier this month, Dr Oduntan’s article ‘Africa’s border disputes are set to rise – but there are ways to stop them’ was published by The Conversation. A further article, Why Nigeria’s plans for a dream Eldorado city are not radical enough was published by The Conversation yesterday.
Dr Oduntan has additional research interests in and air and space law. His book Sovereignty and Jurisdiction in Airspace and Outer Space: Legal Criteria for Spatial Delimitation was published by Routledge-Cavendish in 2011 and an article entitled ‘Is space tourism travelling faster than space law?’ was published by The Conversation last month.
For more information about Dr Oduntan’s publications and research, visit his staff profile page.