Publication

This paper discusses the concept of de facto states in the international system. The author describes how this form of state is a secessionist entity that receives popular support and has achieved sufficient capacity to provide governmental services to a given population in a defined territorial area, over which it maintains effective control for an extended period of time. This paper examines the impact that de facto states have on international society and international law and assesses how they are dealt with by those two bodies through a focus on four specific case studies: Eritrea, Somaliland, Tamil Eelam and Northern Cyprus.