List of active separatist movements in Africa

<span lang="id" dir="ltr">This is a list of currently active separatist movements in Africa. Separatism includes autonomism and secessionism.</span>

Criteria

What is and is not considered an autonomist or secessionist movement is sometimes contentious. Entries on this list must meet three criteria:

1. They are active movements with active members.
2. They are seeking greater autonomy or self-determination for a geographic region (as opposed to personal autonomy).
3. They are citizens/people of the conflict area and do not come from another country.

Under each region listed is one or more of the following:

• De facto state (de facto entity): for unrecognized regions with de facto autonomy.
• Proposed state: proposed name for a seceding sovereign state.
• Proposed autonomous area: for movements towards greater autonomy for an area but not outright secession.
• De facto autonomous government: for governments with de facto autonomous control over a region.
• Government-in-exile: for a government based outside of the region in question, with or without control.
• Political party (or parties): for political parties involved in a political system to push for autonomy or secession.
• Militant organisation(s): for armed organisations.
• Advocacy group(s): for non-belligerent, non-politically participatory entities.
• Ethnic/ethno-religious/racial/regional/religious group(s).

Algeria

Kabylia

• Ethnic group: Kabyle Berbers
• Proposed state: Kabylia.
• Government-in-exile: Kabyle Provisional Government (ANAVAD AQVAYLI UΣḌIL).
• Movement leader: Ferhat Mehenni.
• Political party: Movement for the self-determination of Kabylie (MAK).

Kabylia is a charter member of the Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization (UNPO)

Kabylia is a charter member of the Organization of Emerging African States

Angola

Central-Eastern Angola

• Ethnic group: Lunda-Tchokwé people
• Proposed state or autonomous region: Democratic Republic of Lunda-Tchokwé
• Government-in-exile: Partido Democrático da Defesa do Estado Lunda-Tchokwé,
• Political party: Partido Democrático da Defesa do Estado Lunda-Tchokwé
• Advocacy groups: Mulher Unida da Lunda-Tchokwé, Pioneiros Unidos da Lunda-Tchokwé, Juventude Unida da Lunda-Tchokwé, Manifesto Jurídico Sociológico do Povo Lunda-Tchokwé

Cabinda

• Ethnic group: Bakongo
• Proposed state: Republic of Cabinda
• Government-in-exile: Frente para a Libertação do Enclave de Cabinda (FLEC) (member of the Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization)
• Political party: Frente para a Libertação do Enclave de Cabinda (FLEC), Liberation Front of the State of Cabinda
• Militant organization: Forças Armadas de Cabinda (FAC)
• Status: Ongoing low-intensity war

Cabinda is a charter member of the Organization of Emerging African States

Zaire Province and Uíge Province

• Ethnic group: Kongo people
• Proposed: restoration of the Kongo Kingdom within Angola
• Movement: Movement of Sovereigns and Scholars

Botswana

Ngamiland

• Ethnic group: Masubia, Nzanza, Mbowe, Makalahari, MaYeyi, Mampukushu, Makwengari, Mambunda, Matotela, Batoka, Mafwe, Barotse, Leya, Nanzwa, Lujana, Dombe
• Advocacy group: Movement for the Survival of the River Races of Zambesia
• Proposed state: Zambesia

North-West District

• Ethnic group: San people
• Proposed: autonomy for the San people

Kgatleng District

• Ethnic group: Bakgatla people
• Proposed: full restoration of the Bakgatla Reserve as an autonomous region or independence

North-East District

• Ethnic group: Kalanga people
• Proposed: establishment of a reserve in the North-East District for the Kalanga people

Cameroon

• Ethnic group: Anglophones of the former Southern Cameroons, consisting of over 80 ethnic groups
• Population: ~4 million people
• Proposed state: Federal Republic of Ambazonia
• Advocacy group: Interim Government of Ambazonia, Ambazonia Governing Council and others
• Militant groups: Ambazonia Self-Defence Council, Ambazonia Defence Forces, SOCADEF, other smaller militias
• Status: Ongoing civil war

is a charter member of the Organization of Emerging African States

Bakassi

• People: Oron
• Population: 150,000&ndash;300,000 people (subject of dispute)
• Proposed state: Democratic Republic of Bakassi
• Militant organization: Bakassi Movement for Self-Determination

Kanuri people

• Ethnic group: Kanuri people
• Proposed state: Kanowra (also includes parts of Chad, Nigeria and Niger)

Cape Verde

São Vicente

• Proposed: autonomy for São Vicente
• Political party: Democratic and Independent Cape Verdean Union

Central African Republic

Dar El Kuti (Republic of Logone)

• Ethnic group: Muslims in the Central African Republic
• Proposed state: Dar al-Kuti
• Advocacy group and militant organization: Séléka
• Status: Ongoing civil war, effectively a proto-state

Dar El Kuti is a self-proclaimed state supported by the Popular Front for the Rebirth of Central African Republic (FPRC), a Muslim rebel movement in the Central African Republic.

Azande in the central African Republic

• Ethnic group: Azande people
• Proposed: self determination for the Azande people

Chad

Tibesti, Borkou and Ennedi Ouest

• Ethnic group: Toubou people
• Proposed: autonomy for the Toubou in Chad
• Militant organization: Movement for Democracy and Justice in Chad

Republic of Congo

Southern Departments

• Ethnic group: Kongo people
• Proposed state: South Congo

Democratic Republic of the Congo

• Political parties: Union of Independent Federalists and Republicans
• Militant organizations: Mai Mai Kata Katanga
• is a charter member of the Organization of Emerging African States

Kivu

• Ethnic group: Bashi people
• Proposed state: Republic of Kivu
• Militant organization: Congo River Alliance

Great Lakes Twa

• Ethnic group: Great Lakes Twa
• Proposed: autonomy of the Great Lakes Twa

Kasaï region

• Ethnic group: Luba people
• Proposed: independence for the Kasaï region

Équateur

• Ethnic group: Mongo people
• Proposed: independence for Équateur

Djibouti

Obock Region and Tadjourah Region

• Ethnic group: Afar people
• Proposed: autonomy for Afar people in Djibouti
• Political party: Front for the Restoration of Unity and Democracy

Eritrea

Eritrean highlands and the Tigray Region

• Ethnic group: Tigrinya people
• Proposed independent state: Agazian state
• Advocacy groups: Agazian Movement, Tigray People's Liberation Front (alleged)

Southern Red Sea Region

• Ethnic group: Afar people, Saho people
• Proposed autonomous area: Dankalia or unification with
• Advocacy groups: Red Sea Afar Democratic Organisation, Democratic Movement for the Liberation of the Eritrean Kunama, Saho People's Democratic Movement

Equatorial Guinea

Bioko

• Ethnic group: Bubi
• Proposed state: Bioko Island
• Advocacy group: Movement for the Self-Determination of Bioko Island

Annobón

• Ethnic group: Portuguese Africans
• Proposed state: Republic of Annobón
• Advocacy group: Free Annobón

Ethiopia

• ethnic group: Amhara people
• proposed: self determination and/or autonomy for
• political party: National Movement of Amhara
• status: Ongoing

• ethnic group: Afar people
• proposed: independence for the
• political party: Afar Revolutionary Democratic Unity Front

()

• Proposed state: Ogadenia (member of the Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization) or unification with
• Political party: Ogaden National Liberation Front

• Proposed state or autonomous area: Oromia (member of the Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization)
• Political party: Oromo Liberation Front, Oromo Federalist Congress
• Militant organizations: Oromo Liberation Army

Tigray

• Proposed state or autonomous area: Tigray
• Political party: Tigray Independence Party Tigray People's Liberation Front, Arena Tigray For Democracy and Sovereignty, National Congress of Great Tigray, Salsay Weyane Tigray (Regionalist)
• Militant organizations: Tigray Defense Forces

France

Réunion

*Political party: Lorganizasion Popilèr po Libèr nout Péi (Lplp) – Popular Front for National Liberation: composed of Nasion Rénioné, Mar, Drapo rouz, Patriot rénioné and Mir.

*Political party: Communist Party of Réunion

*Proposed state: Republic of Zabon

Mayotte continues to have autonomist and separatist movements despite the island having voted to become France's 101st department in 2011.

Gabon

Ogooué-Lolo Province and Haut-Ogooué

• Ethnic group: Mbama people
• Proposed autonomous region: Haut-Ogooue-Lolo

Ghana

Western Togoland

*Proposed state: Western Togoland

**Militant organizations: Western Togoland Restoration Front (member of UNPO)

Greater Accra Region

• Ethnic group: Ga-Adangbe
• Proposed: greater autonomy for Greater Accra Region

Savannah Region

• Ethnic group: Dega people
• Proposed: autonomy for the Dega people in the Savannah Region

Kenya

Mombasa

• Proposed state: Coast Province, Mombasa Republic
• Political party: Mombasa Republican Council
• Status: Active
• is a charter member of the Organization of Emerging African States

Rift Valley, Western Province, Nyanza

• Proposed State or autonomous region: People's Republic of Kenya
• Political Party: Azimio la Umoja

North Eastern Province

• Ethnic group: Somali people
• Proposed: independence or unification with

Ivory Coast

Southwestern and southern-central regions of the Ivory Coast

• Ethnic group: Bété people
• Proposed state: Ebournie

Liberia

Grand Cape Mount County

• Ethnic group: Muslims in Liberia
• Proposed: independence for the Muslims in Liberia

Libya

Cyrenaica

• Ethnic group: Arabs
• Proposed autonomous region or state: Cyrenaica
• Political party: Cyrenaica Transitional Council

• Ethnic group: Toubou people, Arabs, Tuaregs and Berbers
• Proposed: greater autonomy for

Amazighs in Libya

• Ethnic group: Amazighs
• Proposed: autonomy for the Amazighs in Libya
• Advocacy group: Amazigh Supreme Council

Malawi

Nyika

• Proposed state: Northern Nyika Republic
• Political party: The Peoples Party

Mzimba District

• Ethnic group: Ngoni people
• Proposed autonomous area: Ngoni Kingdom

Southern Region

• Ethnic group: Lomwe people
• Proposed state: United States of Thyolo and Mulanje
• Political party: People's Land Organisation

Mali

• Ethnic group: Tuareg
• Proposed state or autonomous area:
• Political party: Coordination of Azawad Movements, which includes MNLA
• Militant organisations: National Movement for the Liberation of Azawad
• is a charter member of the Organization of Emerging African States

Massina

• Ethnic group: Fula
• Proposed state: Massina Empire
• Militant organizations: Katiba Macina

Kayes Region

• Ethnic group: Khassonké people
• Proposed state: Kayes

Mauritania

Northern Mauritania

• Ethnic group: Beidane
• Proposed: independence for Northern Mauritania

Eastern Mauritania

• Proposed state or autonomous region: Atmoulay or unification with

Mauritius

Rodrigues

• Ethnic group: Rodriguan
• Proposed greater autonomous area or state: Rodrigues
• Political party: Rodrigues People's Organisation

Agaléga

• Ethnic group: Agaléga islanders
• Proposed autonomous region: Agaléga
• Advocacy group: Les Amis d’Agaléga

Morocco

• Ethnic group: Riffian Berbers
• Proposed state: Republic of the Rif
• Political organization: Riffian National Party

Started in Morocco during the 1920s, and was revitalized in 2013. The Rif Independence Movement is a charter member of the Organization of Emerging African States.

Souss-Massa

• Ethnic group: Shilha people
• Proposed: Autonomy for the Shilha people in the Souss-Massa

Mozambique

North and Central Mozambique

• Ethnic group: Makua people and more
• Proposed autonomous region: Rombesia

Namibia

Caprivi Strip

• Ethnic group: Masubia, Nzanza, Mbowe, Makalahari, MaYeyi, Mampukushu, Makwengari, Mambunda, Matotela, Batoka, Mafwe, Barotse, Leya, Nanzwa, Lujana, Dombe
• Advocacy group: Movement for the Survival of the River Races of Zambesia
• Militant organization: Caprivi Liberation Army
• Political party: Caprivi National African Union, United Democratic Party
• Proposed state: Zambesia or Caprivi Strip or Barotseland

Rehoboth area

• Ethnic group: Baster
• Proposed autonomous area: Rehoboth area
• Political party: The United People's Movement (UPM) Rehoboth Basters (Member of the UNPO)

Tsumkwe Constituency

• Ethnic group: Juǀʼhoansi people
• Proposed: autonomy for the Juǀʼhoansi people in Tsumkwe Constituency

Bwabwata National Park

• Ethnic group: Khwe
• Proposed: autonomy for the Khwe

Niger

Agadez Region

• Ethnic group: Tuareg people
• Proposed: independence for Agadez Region
• Militant organizations: Patriotic Liberation Front (in an alliance with the CSP-DPA)

Nigeria

• Ethnic group: Igbo, Anioma, Igede, Igala, Idoma, Ijaw, Kalabari, Ibibio, and Ogoni.
• Proposed state or autonomous area: (defunct)
• Separatist movements: The Indigenous People of Biafra, Biafra Zionist Movement, Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra
• Militant organization: Eastern Security Network
• Government in exile: Biafran Government in exile
• is a charter member of the Organization of Emerging African States

Republic of Oduduwa

• Ethnic group: Yorùbá ethnic groups in Ekiti, Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, Oyo, Osun, Kwara, Òkun in Kogi states in Nigeria, Itsekiris in Delta state and Akoko in Edo state.
• Proposed state or autonomous area: Republic of Oduduwa
• Member of the Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization
• Civic organizations: Ilana Omo Oodua, Nigerian Indigenous Nationalities Alliance for Self-Determination(NINAS)
• Movement leaders: Professor Stephen Adebanji Akintoye, Sunday Igboho
• O'odua Grand Alliance for Independence & Oodua People's Congress Ogafi.org
• Status: Constitutional Force Majeure

Niger Delta

• Ethnic group: Urhobo, Isoko, Itsekiri, Ijaw, Ukwuani, Edo, Esan, Ogoni, Kalabari and many more.
• Proposed: Autonomous regionalism: Niger Delta Republic was declared in February 1965 by Isaac Adaka Boro, but failed to be established and remains an inspiration if not an aspiration.
• Movement: Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) formed in 2006 for the self-determination of the people of the Niger Delta
• Militant groups: Niger Delta Avengers, Niger Delta Greenland Justice Mandate, Niger Delta People's Volunteer Force (NDPVF),
• Status: Ongoing war

Arewa

• Ethnic group: Hausa people, Kanuri people
• Proposed State or Autonomous Area: Arewa Republic
• Political organisations Arewa Consultative Forum

Rivers State

• Ethnic group: Ogoni people
• Proposed autonomous region: Ogoniland
• Advocacy group: Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People

Kingdom of Benin

• ethnic group: Edo people, Yoruba People, Igbo people
• proposed: re establishment of the Kingdom of Benin
• political party: United Kingdom of Great Benin

Middle Belt

• Ethnic group: over 250 ethnic groups
• Proposed: autonomy for the Middle Belt
• Advocacy group: Coalition of Indigenous Middle Belt Organizations

Southern Kaduna

• Ethnic group: Adara people
• Proposed: creation of a Southern Kaduna state within Nigeria
• Advocacy group: Southern Kaduna People's Union

Benue State

• Ethnic group: Tiv people
• Proposed state: Republic Of Takuruku

Adamawa State

• Ethnic group: Mumuye people and more
• Proposed state: Adamawa State

Cross River State

• Ethnic group: Efik people
• Proposed: independence for Efik people

Portugal

• Ethnic group: Madeiran
• Proposed: Greater autonomy for
• Political party: Together for the People

São Tomé and Príncipe

Príncipe

• Ethnic group: Príncipese people
• Proposed: greater autonomy for Príncipe

Senegal

• Ethnic group: Diola
• Proposed state: Republic of Casamance
• Militant organization: Movement of Democratic Forces of Casamance

Touba

• Ethnic group: Wolof people
• Proposed: autonomy for Touba
• Advocates: Mouride

Somalia

• Ethnic group: Somali, primarily the Isaaq clan.
• De facto state:
• Political organisations: Government of Somaliland
• Militant organisation: Somaliland Armed Forces

Somaliland

Awdalland

• Ethnic group: Somali, primarily the Gadabuursi subclan within the Dir clan.
• Proposed: autonomy of Awdalland
• Political party: Awdal State Movement
• Awdalland is claimed and governed by , but calls for increased autonomy exist within Awdal. Some in Awdal aspire to become a federal state within independent of Somaliland, while others in Awdal wish to join neighboring .

North Eastern State of Somalia (previously also known as SSC)

• Ethnic group: Somali, primarily the Dhulbahante and Warsangeli subclans of the Harti subclan within the Darod clan.
• is claimed by both and , but it rejects the aforementioned claimants and self-governs as an autonomous state within 's federal framework.

South Africa

Cape Republic

• Proposed state or autonomous area: Cape Republic
• Ethnic groups: Cape Coloureds, Afrikaners, Khoisan, Cape Malays, Bantu peoples of South Africa (Primarily Xhosa)
• Political parties: Freedom Front Plus Referendum Party Cape Independence Party
• Advocacy groups: CapeXit Cape Independence Advocacy Group (CIAG)
• Proposed state or autonomous area: Sovereign State of Good Hope
• Ethnic groups: Cape Coloureds, Khoisan, Cape Malays, Griqua people
• Advocacy Groups: Goringhaicona Khoikhoin Indigenous Traditional Council, First Indigenous Nation of South Africa (FINSA)
• Status: Unrecognized

Volkstaat

• Ethnic group: Afrikaners
• Proposed state or autonomous area: Volkstaat
• Political Party: Freedom Front Plus (in parliament and member of the Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization). Outside parliament: Afrikaner Weerstandsbeweging, National Conservative Party of South Africa, Boerestaat Party Afrikaner Self-determination Party.
• Advocacy group: Orania Movement
• Movement: Boere-Vryheidsbeweging
• Status: Accord on Afrikaner self-determination

• Proposed State:
• Ethnic group: Afrikaners
• Advocacy group: Boervolk

South Sudan

Rol Naath

• Ethnic group: Nuer People
• Proposed state: Rol Naath
• Advocacy group: Rol Naath Independence Movement

Western Equatoria

• Ethnic group: Azande people
• Proposed: independence for Azande people

Abyei

• Ethnic group: Dinka people
• Proposed: self rule for Abyei

Equatoria

• Ethnic group: Azande people and more
• Proposed state: Equatoria or Lado

Spain

Secessionist movement

• People: Canarians
• Proposed state: Republic of the Canary Islands
• Political parties (autonomist): Coalición Canaria, Partido Nacionalista Canario, Centro Canario Nacionalista, Nueva Canarias
• Political parties (secessionist): FREPIC-AWAÑAK, Tanekra, Alternativa Nacionalista Canaria, Alternativa Popular Canaria, Unidad del Pueblo, National Congress of the Canaries
• Trade union: Intersindical Canaria
• Youth movement: Azarug

is a charter member of the Organization of Emerging African States

autonomist movements

• Proposed: turning Ceuta into an autonomous community
• Political party: Ceuta Ya!

Sudan

Darfur

• Ethnic group: Fur, Arabs, Zaghawa, Masalit, Tama
• Proposed autonomous area: Darfur or proposed unification with Chad
• Militant organization: Darfur Liberation Front

Eastern Sudan

• Ethnic group: Beja
• Proposed autonomous area or state: Beja state
• Political groups: Beja Congress

Abyei

• Ethnic group: Dinka people
• Proposed: self rule for Abyei

Northern State and River Nile State

• Ethnic group: Arabs, Copts and Nubians
• Proposed: creation of an independent River and Sea state, or Kush/Nubia, or unification with

South Kordofan

• Ethnic group: Nuba people
• Proposed state: Democratic Republic of Kauda

Gezira State

• Ethnic group: Arabs
• Proposed: self rule for Gezira State

Blue Nile State

• Ethnic group: Ingessana people
• Proposed: autonomy for the Blue Nile State

Kordofan

• Ethnic group: Arabs and Nuba peoples
• Proposed state: Kordofan

Tanzania

• Ethnic group: Arabs, Shirazi
• Proposed state: Zanzibar
• Political party: Civic United Front (member of Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization), Uamsho<br>Democratic Party (Tanzania)

Mtwara Region

• Ethnic group: Makonde people
• Proposed state: Mtwara

Pemba Island

• Ethnic group: Shirazi people
• Proposed state: Pemba Island

Togo

Est-Mono Prefecture

• Ethnic group: Kabye people
• Proposed: independence for Est-Mono Prefecture

Tunisia

Djerba

• Ethnic group: Jerba Berber
• Proposed autonomus area or state: Djerba

Uganda

Acholi

• Proposed: autonomy within Uganda
• Ethnic group: Acholi Traditionalist Catholicism Christian nationalism, Acholi Nationalism

• ethnic group: Baganda
• Proposed: greater autonomy of

• Ethnic group: Konjo people
• Proposed: greater autonomy for

Ankole

• Ethnic group: Nkole people
• Proposed: restoration of Ankole

Karamoja

• Ethnic group: Karamojong people
• Proposed: elevation of Karamoja to a region

Tooro Kingdom

• Ethnic group: Tooro people
• Proposed: elevation of Tooro Kingdom a region

United Kingdom

• Ethnic group: Chagossians
• Proposed state: Chagos Archipelago or unification with
• Political Parliamentary Group: Chagos Islands (BIOT) All Party Parliamentary Group

Yemen

Socotra

• Ethnic group: Soqotri people
• Proposed: autonomy for Socotra
• Advocacy group: Socotra National Council

Zambia

Barotseland

• Ethnic group: Barotse
• Proposed state: Barotseland
• Militant organization: Barotse National Council, Kola Foundation, Cuundu Caitwa, Umodzi Ku'Mawa Forum

Southern Province

• Ethnic group: Tonga people
• Proposed state: Southern Province

Zimbabwe

Matabeleland

• Ethnic group: Matabele
• Proposed state: Mthwakazi
• Militant organization: Mthwakazi Liberation Front (M.L.F.)
• Political party: Matabeleland Freedom Party
• Revolutionary Movement: Mthwakazi Republic Party (M.R.P)
• Matabele is a charter member of the Organization of Emerging African States.

Manicaland Province

• Ethnic group: Shona people
• Proposed: autonomy for Manicaland Province

See also

• List of conflicts in Africa
• Lists of active separatist movements
• Lists of historical separatist movements

Notes

References