Indeed, the LOSC represents the culmination of efforts by African States together with developing States to reform the post-colonial legal and economic order and to guarantee access to the resources of the ocean for development. Nonetheless, Africa’s role in demanding, influencing and negotiating outcomes suitable to its interest in the lead up to the adoption of the LOSC is noted as one of the greatest achievements of developing countries in international politics. It was only logical that African States, in comparison with their European, American and even Asian counterparts, would lack the requisite technical and legal expertise to conduct favourable negotiations in respect of a complex subject like the law of the sea. By 1970 also, a good number of African States had started experiencing internal strife as the consensus that supported the struggle for independence was adrift in the face of socio-economic difficulties and unaccountable governance. The importance of the Convention as a global instrument especially in the context of the 1970s is captured in key phrases in the preamble to the Convention that it will contribute to the “maintenance of peace, justice and progress for all peoples of the world” will “promote the peaceful uses of the seas and oceans” and contribute to goals of “realization of a just and equitable international economic order.”Īt the dawn of the negotiations that yielded this new ocean regime, most African States were only about a decade old and were struggling with the rudiments of nation building and international relations. This piece is culled from an earlier publication in the Ocean Yearbook 2012, co-authored by CEMLAWS Africa Chair, Professor Martin Tsamenyi, and its Executive Director, Doctor Kamal-Deen Ali.Īfter almost 10years of protracted negotiations at the Third United Nations Conference on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS III- 1973-1982), the United Nations Convention on the Law of Sea (LOSC) was adopted and opened for signature on 10th December 1982. Part I of this publication, reflects on the role of African States in the evolution of the United Nations Convention on the Law of Sea, while Part II, which will be published in the next issue, critically assesses how African States have fared in new law of sea regime. These mutually reinforcing events are part of the landmarks for implementing the African Integrated Maritime Strategy 2050 (AIM Strategy 2050).ĬEMLAWS Africa participated in the programmes, and dedicates this article to the launch of the events.
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The second was the lunch of the African Day of the Seas and Oceans, which is to be celebrated each year on 25 July.
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The first was the launch of the Decade of African Seas and Oceans (2015-2025). Editor’s Note: On 25 th July 2015, two historic events took place at the Headquarters of the Africa Union.