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  • Land claimed by at least two states or with a curious border.
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  • Kalakuta Republic
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  • Nutopia
  • Parva Domus
  • Rose Island
  • Sabotage
  • San Escobar
  • Sealand
  • Seborga
  • Sedang
  • State of Jefferson
  • Talossa
  • Užupis
  • Westarctica
  • Yidindji

News Donetsk People’s Republic

Ukraine’s President Visits Donbass as Tensions Mount

Kyiv has raised the alarm over a buildup of Russian forces near the border between Ukraine and Russia, and over a rise in violence along the line of contact separating Ukrainian troops and Russia-backed separatists in Ukraine’s Donbass region.

Reuters | 8 Apr 2021

World press Photo Nagorno-Karabakh

The Impact of War

Russian photographer Valery Melnikov is nominated with this image for the World Press Photo of the Year 2021. This family is pictured just before leaving their home in Lachin, on 28 November. Many Armenians left areas that were to return to Azerbaijani control following the Second Nagorno-Karabakh War. The photographer shows the devastating effects of military conflicts on lives of ordinary people.

De Facto | 30 Mar 2021

Feature

This Is What It’s Like to Live in a Country ‘That Doesn’t Exist’

Today in Europe there are 6.5 million people living in countries that, according to the rest of the world anyway, do not exist. These would-be republics’ borders, born out of the chaos of the fall of the Soviet Union, are unrecognized by the international family of nations, as is their legal right to dictate the shape of their futures. Each of Eastern Europe’s six disputed regions has a unique story, and within each there are diverse voices, attempting to live normal lives in spite of the chaos they were born into.

VICE | 24 Mar 2021

Podcast

Citizenship in Contested Territories

What does it mean to be a citizen of Abkhazia, South Ossetia or any other de facto state? Are the people living in such territories stateless? What are some of the precarious situations they are faced with? An interview with our esteemed explorer Ramesh Ganohariti, a PhD student from Dublin City University.

Dublin Law and Politics Review | 8 Mar 2021

News

Loyalist Paramilitary Groups Renounce Good Friday Agreement

Loyalist paramilitary groups have told the British and Irish governments they are withdrawing support for the Good Friday agreement in protest at Northern Ireland’s Irish Sea trade border with the rest of the UK.

The Guardian | 4 Mar 2021

place of the week Parva Domus

Small House, Great Rest

The Republic of Parva Domus Magna Quies is located in a mansion in Montevideo, Uruguay. Founded in 1878, the organization occupied an extensive hacienda in the outskirts of Montevideo, of which today only the main mansion remains. The rest was converted into condominium complexes, which are the main source of income for the small republic. ‘According to them, with the exception of Parva Domus, the rest of the world is mad as hell.’

De Facto | 2 Mar 2021

News Kosovo

Maps Matter

Even if you don’t know much about the Balkans, you might know that borders and maps are a rather sensitive issue there. But Miroslav Lajčák, the EU’s top official for the region, seemed caught by surprise when a map in his office sparked a storm of criticism from Kosovo and further afield.

Politico | 25 Feb 2021

place of the week Kalakuta Republic

Fela’s Kalakuta

Kalakuta Republic was a secessionist state within Nigeria that provided political asylum for musicians, friends and the extended family of popular afro-pop musician and activist Fela Kuti. Kuti founded his independent republic as a way of establishing freedom from the oppressive regime led by dictator Obasanjo who ruled Nigeria at the time. Forty-four years ago, on 18th February 1977, the Kalakuta Republic was burned to the ground by armed government soldiers. Fela Kuti passed away in 1997 but his revolutionary ideas still prove to inspire people: The stage play ‘Fela and the Kalakuta Queens’ premiered in 2019.

De Facto | 18 Feb 2021

News Catalonia

Separatists Boost Majority

Separatist parties in Catalonia have boosted their parliamentary majority in the regional elections, held amid a third wave of coronavirus. The pro-union Socialist Party, led by former health minister Salvador Illa, won the most votes to claim a narrow victory, but will struggle to form a government.

Euronews | 15 Feb 2021

News Kosovo

Stay Tuned for Kosovo's Snap Elections

Voters in Kosovo will cast their ballots in snap parliamentary elections – the sixth such poll in 14 years – which analysts have predicted will be a much tighter race than usual. Stay tuned for all the latest developments, election results and reactions as Kosovo citizens head to the polls to elect a new government.

Balkan Insight | 14 Feb 2021

Analysis Catalonia

Litmus Test for the Separatists

Elections in Catalonia this week are poised to change the political landscape of the region as the ultranationalist party Vox is set to enter its parliament for the first time. Vox is campaigning on a hardline anti-separatist ticket. The election on February 14 will be a litmus test for the north-eastern region’s fractured separatist movement, which led mass protests and held an illegal independence referendum in 2017.

The Times | 10 Feb 2021

Book Review

Fighters on Flip Flops

Photographer Philippe Dudouit is one of the few foreigners who continues to travel to the Sahelo-Sahara region. His remarkable work The Dynamics of Dust gives an exceptional insight into the shifting alliances in this vast area that is often neglected in world politics.

Jorie Horsthuis | 4 Feb 2021

News Paracel Islands

Vietnamese Brewery Names Beers After Disputed South China Sea Islands

A brewery in Vietnam has waded into one of the most contentious maritime disputes in the world by naming craft beers after islands claimed by China in a hops-flavored act of patriotism guaranteed to irritate Beijing.

Vice | 2 Feb 2021

News Chagos Archipelago

‘The Judgement is Clear’

The maritime law tribunal of the United Nations has ruled that Britain has no sovereignty over the Chagos Islands. It criticised London for its failure to hand the territory back to Mauritius. The judges’ decision confirms a ruling by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and a vote in the UN General Assembly. Why does the UK insist on not returning the islands to its former colony?

BBC | 29 Jan 2021

Long read Hong Kong

Across the Strait

Many Hong Kong citizens and opposition politicians look to Taiwan as a place to escape China’s growing influence. However, there is less desire for independence or to become a new Taiwan. The crux of Hong Kong’s issues lies in its confused identity and awkward geopolitical position. A long read from our new explorer Jonathan Casewell.

Jonathan Casewell | 22 Jan 2021

place of the week San Escobar

San Escowhat?

San Escobar is a non-existent country and emerged out of a blunder by the former Polish minister of foreign affairs, Witold Waszczykowski. The minister told reporters he had met with officials from various countries, including meeting some Caribbean nations ‘perhaps for the first time in the history of our diplomacy. For example with countries such as San Escobar or Belize’.

De Facto | 20 Jan 2021

IN FOCUS Nagorno-Karabakh

On Stamps, the Karabakh War is not over

Only shortly after the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh war, both parties issued postage stamps depicting the conflict from their own perspective. Hence, the propaganda war continues.

Jan Heijs | 18 Jan 2021

Book Review

Blood and Honey

In Blood and Honey: Encounters at the Borders of the Balkans, Dutch journalist Irene van der Linde and documentary photographer Nicole Segers set out to document the borders of Balkans. The picture they show is rather grim.

Jorie Horsthuis | 13 Jan 2021

IN FOCUS Falkland Islands

The Falkland Islands’ Stamp Battle

Since 1833 the Falkland Islands have been part of the British Overseas Territories. Argentina has always protested against this claim, also via philately. Stamps as actors in a “postal war”.

JAN HEIJS | 8 Jan 2021

News Gibraltar

Confusion over Gibraltar Border Controls

Gibraltar is moving towards a new era after the UK and Spain reached a preliminary post-Brexit deal to avoid a hard border on the south of the Iberian peninsula. This agreement would allow Gibraltar—officially a ‘British Overseas Territory’—to join the Schengen zone that guarantees passport-free travel and freedom of movement to more than 400 million EU citizens.

EU Observer | 6 Jan 2021

Feature Nagorno-Karabakh

Finally a Home Game

Their stadium is still in ruins due to the war in Nagorno-Karabakh, but FK Qarabag, the ‘Barcelona of the Caucasus’, cannot wait to play its first home game again. A feature by Jarl van der Ploeg with pictures of Freek van den Bergh (in Dutch).

de Volkskrant | 5 Jan 2021

place of the week Glacier Republic

The Ice Republic

The Glacier Republic was founded by Greenpeace in the hope to protect Chilean glaciers from mining activities. Apart from rising temperatures, the mining explosions and pollution take a great toll on this environment. Greenpeace stated that once Chile passes legislation that will protect its glaciers, the republic will cease to exist. However, after seven years this micronation is still on the map.

De Facto | 4 Jan 2021

Place of the Week Celestia

All of Outer Space

Happy New Year! Early in January 1949 James Thomas Mangan posted a formal request to all the countries in the world to recognize his recently registered Nation of Celestial Space. This new nation was formed by ‘all of outer space’, because no other country should have political hegemony in space.

De Facto | 1 Jan 2021

Open call Antarctica

Antarktikos, Where Art Meets Science Meets Art

Antarktikos is a printed magazine, published once a year and it is looking for contributions. This annual journal combines artistic and scientific exploration within the inspiring and thought-provoking context of Antarctica. All disciplines are welcome to contribute. Antarktikos is an initiative by artist Esther Kokmeijer.

De Facto | 23 Dec 2020

Place of the Week Rose Island

The Incredible Story of Rose Island

After the release of L’Isola delle Rose by Netflix, the extraordinary but largely untold story of the ‘prince of anarchists’ Giorgio Rose became popular immediately. The Italian engineer built his own island in the Adriatic sea in the 1960s, which housed a restaurant, bar, souvenir shop and even a post office.

De Facto | 21 Dec 2020

News

Iranian Dissident Kidnapped in Turkey

Habib Chaab, founder of the Iranian separatist group ASMLA, was kidnapped in Turkey after a ‘honeytrap’ by Iran. Sky News published a detailed reconstruction of the audacious cross-border kidnap plan carried out in Istanbul. Two days after his abduction the founder of the Arab Struggle Movement for the Liberation of Ahvaz appeared on Iranian state television ‘confessing’ to terror acts.

Sky News | 17 Dec 2020

News Western Sahara

Trump Clarifies Stance on Western Sahara

‘Today, I signed a proclamation recognizing Moroccan sovereignty over the Western Sahara’, President Trump wrote on Twitter, dramatically reversing U.S. policy on one of the world’s longest running and most neglected conflicts. What is going on here?

Slate | 10 Dec 2020

Photo essay

Between Two Shores

Lithuanian photographer Tadas Kazakevičius’s visual love letter Between Two Shores captures the peace and idiosyncrasy of the Curonian Spit—a unique and spectacular geographical formation, barely a mile wide across, that extends for over 60 miles from the coast of Lithuania into the Kaliningrad oblast of the Russian Federation.

Deep Baltic | 7 Dec 2020

Book Review

Blood and Circuses

While football may strive to be apolitical and unite people, it has become highly politicised. In Blood and Circuses, Robert O’Connor delves into the collective memory and experiences of football by people who are living in contested territories like Transnistria and Kosovo.

Ramesh Ganohariti | 30 Nov 2020

Research paper Transnistria

Transnistria's European Drive

What are the motives and instruments that both EU and Russia exploit in their power projections towards Transnistria? And how do de facto state authorities tackle possible tensions emerging from externally imposed choices? A research paper by Eiki Berg and Kristel Vits of the University of Tartu (Estonia).

Tandfonline | 24 Nov 2020

Images Nagorno-Karabakh

The Nagorno-Karabakh War in Photos

One week ago, on November 10, a Russian-brokered ceasefire agreement was signed by the president of Azerbaijan and the prime minister of Armenia, ending six weeks of warfare over disputed territory in the Nagorno-Karabakh region. As the handover date approached last weekend, some villagers set their own homes on fire before fleeing to Armenia.

The Atlantic | 17 Nov 2020

News Western Sahara

Western Sahara Ends Truce With Morocco

The leader of a pro-independence group in Western Sahara declared war on Morocco, shattering a three-decade-long cease-fire and threatening a full-blown military conflict in the disputed desert territory in northwest Africa.

The New York Times | 14 Nov 2020

Analysis Northern Cyprus

Déjà-vu or Walking Towards a New Future?

With the election of the conservative Turkish Cypriot Ersin Tatar, many anticipate a hardening of Turkish Cypriots’ position in negotiations over the final status of the island. An analysis by the Glasgow University lecturer Adrian Florea.

De Facto State Research Unit | 9 Nov 2020

News Nagorno-Karabakh

Azerbaijan Announces Capture of Major City

The president of Azerbaijan has said his troops have captured the strategically important city of Shushi — a claim refuted by Armenia. At least 1,000 people have died in Nagorno-Karabakh since fighting broke out.

Deutsche Welle | 8 Nov 2020

Place of the Week Terrestrial Triangle

The Triangle by the Sea

In 2014, the International Court of Justice in The Hague ended the maritime conflict between Chile and Peru. In a Solomonic way, they divided the disputed sea between the two countries. However, the Court’s ruling left one point unresolved: the Terrestrial Triangle.

De Facto | 3 Nov 2020

INTERNSHIP

Call for Intern

De Facto is looking for an intern who can join our team. Specifically, we are looking for someone with a background in Political Sciences. As the internship will be remote due to covid-19, the student can do his/her work from all over the world.

De Facto | 27 Oct 2020

Place of the Week Hakkelaarsbrug

Meet the Hakkelaars

The Free Republic of Hakkelaarsbrug, a hamlet in the Netherlands, declared the independence in 2017. The micronation has a passport, banknotes, postage stamps, its own flag and a national anthem. It also has its own White House where meetings are held. However, there are no political parties—in fact, politics are banned completely.

De Facto | 21 Oct 2020

News Northern Cyprus

Rightwing Hardliner Wins Presidential Runoff

A rightwing hardliner who has long advocated closer ties with Turkey has won a presidential runoff in the Turkish-occupied northern Cyprus. ‘We are the voice of Turkish Cypriots, we are fighters, we are fighting to exist within the TRNC,’ the newly elected leader said after his victory.

The Guardian | 19 Oct 2020

Interview Moresnet

A Wild West Town in the Middle of Europe

In the nineteenth century, a temporary country was created between Prussia and The Netherlands. Journalist Philip Dröge wrote a book about this ‘most curious place in the world’: Moresnet. Dröge was supposed to be interviewed live at our De Facto event, which was cancelled due to COVID-19. As an alternative, we publish this video interview—in expectation of better times.

De Facto | 14 Oct 2020

Analysis Nagorno-Karabakh

Nagorno-Karabakh: The Reasons for a War

The long-term reasons for the conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh are well known. But what caused such an extensive military intervention as the one we are seeing these days, over 25 years after the ceasefire? And what can and should be done now? An analysis by Giorgio Comai.

OBC Transeuropa | 8 Oct 2020

News

Ghana’s Western Togoland Declares Sovereignty

An area of eastern Ghana has declared itself a sovereign state. The region known as Western Togoland has had secessionist attempts in the past.

Deutsche Welle | 7 Oct 2020

News Nagorno-Karabakh

Fighting over Nagorno-Karabakh Continues

Since September 27, large-scale military operations have continued around Nagorno-Karabakh and on the border of Armenia and Azerbaijan. Stepanakert is under attack, and on October 4, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev announced the capture of Talish. For live updates, videos and photos, follow JAMnews, the independent media platform from the Caucasus.

JAMnews | 5 Oct 2020

Job opening

Academic Call: Postdoctoral Researcher

Are you interested in pursuing research on de facto state patron-client relations? The Norwegian Institute of International Affairs and the Department of Politics, University of York, are seeking a postdoctoral researcher to join the team of researchers on the project ‘Dynamics of de facto state patron-client relations (DeFacto)’. They are looking for a candidate with experience and ability to conduct empirical studies and field research.

The Norwegian Institute of International Affairs | 1 Oct 2020

News Nagorno-Karabakh

Armenia and Azerbaijan Fight over Disputed Nagorno-Karabakh

One of the world’s oldest conflicts, a territorial dispute between Armenia and Azerbaijan, has re-erupted with the heaviest clashes in years.

BBC | 28 Sep 2020

NEWS Taiwan

Hawk or Dove? Birdwatching World’s Feathers Ruffled over Taiwan Independence

Plea to remember ‘birds do not know borders’ amid spat between Taiwan’s largest bird conservation group and UK-based BirdLife International.

The Guardian | 25 Sep 2020

MAP Kosovo

Which Countries Recognize Kosovo in 2020?

Announcing the re-launch of the Kosovo recognition updates series! PolGeoNow will now once again be providing timely reports on when countries recognize—or un-recognize—the disputed Republic of Kosovo.

Political Geography Now | 24 Sep 2020

NEWS Taiwan

Taiwan Demotes ‘Republic of China’ Reference on New Passports

New design aims to avoid confusion with mainland, says government, though opposition criticises ‘ideological move’.

The Guardian | 4 Sep 2020

NEWS South Ossetia

Protest wave engulfs South Ossetia

“Resign! Resign! Resign!” These were the words heard on the evening of Friday 28 August on the main square of Tskhinvali, the capital of South Ossetia. The words were addressed to its President Anatoly Bibilov. His position suddenly seems more insecure than ever before. What happened to imperil the regime so severely?

Thijs Korsten | 3 Sep 2020

place of the week Coral Sea Islands

I Am What I Am: The Gay Kingdom

In 2004 a group of gay activists sailed on board of the Gayflower to the Coral Islands, a group of uninhabited islets east of the Great Barrier Reef, to protest against the refusal of the Australian government to recognize same sex marriage. The islands of the Coral Sea were claimed as homeland for the gay and lesbian people of the world and a campsite called Heaven was erected on Cato Island. ‘I Am What I Am’ became the national Anthem.

De Facto | 20 Aug 2020

Link Hutt River

A ‘Tiny’ Nation in Outback Australia

Fifty years ago, this remote micronation declared independence in a story of princes and princesses, taxes and treason and wheat quotas and war.

BBC TRAVEL | 12 Aug 2020

Analysis

CONIFA as a Platform for Football Diplomacy

International relations and sport have become increasingly intertwined, with sport and sports events being used for various diplomatic and political goals. Yet, membership of FIFA and the IOC is largely organised along lines of sovereign statehood. What about CONIFA, the alternative for contested territories? An academic analysis by Ramesh Ganohariti and Ernst Dijxhoorn.

The Hague Journal of Diplomacy | 3 Aug 2020

News

Flag Day in Abkhazia

On the 23rd of July, Abkhazians celebrated their National Flag Day. On this date in 1992, Abkhazia declared itself independent.

Ramesh Ganohariti | 28 Jul 2020

Long read South Ossetia

Unrecognized Pandemic Politics

What does South Ossetia’s international behaviour during the coronavirus crisis teach us about de facto states?

Thijs Korsten | 2 Jul 2020

News Kosovo

More Land Swap Lobbying Uncovered

BIRN has discovered more evidence of Kosovo institutions lobbying for a land swap with Serbia: a Le Monde journalist states that Kosovo Ambassador to France Qendrim Gashi advocated for territory exchange, while an American academic has revealed that Hashim Thaci asked him to prepare a paper endorsing the plan.

Prishtina Insight | 9 Jun 2020

place of the week Sedang

Dubious Affairs

On June 3 the Kingdom of Sedang was created by former French government official Charles-Marie David de Mayréna. Mayréna was involved in dubious affairs and owned a plantation in French Indo-China. He managed to convince the local tribesmen to form a small kingdom under his rule and the Kingdom published various stamps, had a flag and a coat of arms but perished when Mayréna died under mysterious circumstances in 1890.

De Facto | 3 Jun 2020

Long read Spratly Islands

The Making of an Island

New land is claimed in many ways. Revolutions are declared, borders are drawn and nations are born. But in this region the land is created. A brand new lighthouse will show the way.

Floor Koomen | 29 May 2020

Book Review

Engagement without Recognition

Isolation or interaction? In The Politics of International Interaction with De Facto States the authors explore the conundrum for politicians and policy makers: how to deal with de facto states in the international arena?

Jorie Horsthuis | 25 May 2020

place of the week Migingo Island

Island Life

Meet one of the most densely populated islands in the world. It covers less than 2,000 square meters and has 500 inhabitants. Bars, a supermarket and a tiny port are part of this mini society which is claimed by Kenya and Uganda.

De Facto | 20 May 2020

News Somaliland

When Is a Nation Not a Nation?

Today, Somaliland celebrates Independence Day to mark the polity’s unilateral proclamation of independence from the Somali Democratic Republic in 1991. However, its status remains unrecognized the world over. Find out more about this unique place on our website.

De Facto | 18 May 2020

Event

Postponed: De Facto Live #3

Due to the covid-19 restrictions our event of May 14 is postponed until further notice.
An evening with writer Philip Dröge about Moresnet, concert pianist and Soviet expert Sara Crombach about Nagorno-Karabakh and Ecuadorian artist Oscar Santillan about Bermeja Island. Frictional states & bouncing borders, live at De Roode Bioscoop in Amsterdam. Follow us for updates.

De Facto | 14 May 2020

Book Tip Luhansk People’s Republic

Six Years of Independence

On 12 May 2014, the Donetsk and Luhansk People’s Republics declared independence from Ukraine. In the photo book War in Ukraine, multimedia journalist Pierre Crom has documented the highly explosive situation in the Crimea and the Donbas region. With his pictures, he brings us closer to the people who got trapped in the chaos of war.

De Facto | 12 May 2020

place of the week Aerican Empire

‘The World Is Ridiculous; Let’s Keep It That Way.’

The Aerican Empire was created on May 8 in 1987 by the five-year-old Eric Lis. The first ten years it was entirely fictive but it became more serious when a website was launched in 1997. Now everyone can sign up to become a citizen and chose which area of the empire they want to reside in. These non-contiguous pieces of land reach as far the northern hemisphere of Pluto. Silliness is never far away.

De Facto | 8 May 2020

Long read Transnistria

A Hammer, Sickle and a Red Square

As of this year, the Dnister Moldavian Republic, aka Transnistria, has existed for thirty years. In 2000, four stamps were issued to celebrate its ten year anniversary, with plenty of references to a Soviet past.

Floor Koomen | 6 May 2020

News

Dynamics of Patron-Client Relations

Almost all de facto states that survive for some time have a powerful ‘patron’ that provides security guarantees and economic support. Too often this has resulted in the de facto states simply being brushed off as hapless pawns in their patron’s power play. The Norwegian Institute of International Affairs challenges this assumption, examining what room de facto states have for independent agency.

Norwegian Institute of International Affairs | 30 Apr 2020

IN FOCUS Hutt River

Lonely Birthday

The Principality Hutt River, one of the longest standing micronations in the world, was founded fifty years ago on April 21st, 1970. By Royal Decree the borders closed just before the corona crisis reached Australia.

De Facto | 21 Apr 2020

Film Tip Chagos Archipelago

Another Paradise

Fifty years ago the entire Creole population of the Chagos Islands was expelled by the British authorities. This secret operation took place in order to lease the largest island to the US Navy so that it could install a military base. Now Chagossian exiles embark on a struggle to return home. A documentary by Olivier Magis.

Clin d'oeil Films | 17 Apr 2020

place of the week Puerto Rico

A Divided Island

Meet Puerto Rico. The island in the Caribbean Sea became a US territory following the Spanish-American War in 1898. After hurricane Maria in 2017 it found itself with a collapsing economy and destroyed infrastructure, and a crisis of sovereignty. Read more about the independence struggles of this divided island.

De Facto | 7 Apr 2020

Book Review Kosovo

Gripping Tales from North Kosovo

In Dragon’s Teeth, writer and diplomat Ian Bancroft explores the paradoxes and absurdities of life in North Kosovo. With interviews, historical anecdotes and first-hand observations, he gives a human face to one of the most disputed territories in Europe.

Jorie Horsthuis | 3 Apr 2020

IN FOCUS

No Joke

On the first of April no less than three micronations were founded. John Lennon and Yoko Ono announced the birth of their conceptual country Nutopia, the inhabitants of Užupis, a small neighborhood in Vilnius (the capital of Lithunia) declared with a little bit of help from Frank Zappa their independence and in an effort to raise funds for their remote lighthouse, the Republic of Boon Island was born.

De Facto | 1 Apr 2020

News Baarle

Border Village Left Half Open, Half Shut by Virus

Measures to halt the spread of the coronavirus have created an odd situation in a village straddling the Dutch-Belgian border where opposite sides of the road are in different countries. One store even had a ribbon down the middle of its premises, marking the border, with the Belgian section off-limits.

Reuters | 26 Mar 2020

Film Tip Kurdistan

Sidik and the Panther

In the breathtakingly beautiful mountains of Iraqi Kurdistan Sidik sets out to find a panther that has not been seen in the area for 25 years. Finding the panther could mean that the area will be designated as a national reserve. Sidik hopes that this would put an end to wars and conflict. This documentary by Reber Dosky can be watched online till March, 28.

Movies that Matter | 22 Mar 2020

Book Series

A Journey through Time and Place

Extinguished Countries is the first guidebook series about countries that no longer exist. They don’t follow today’s borders but take us on a journey through time and space to lost kingdoms, republics and empires, looking for what unites us rather than divides us.

Extinguished Countries | 18 Mar 2020

In Focus

De Facto States Respond Quickly to Covid-19

Despite being effectively excluded from global health management networks and having limited resources due their forced isolation, de facto states have shown their capacity to take action to prevent the spread of the coronavirus in their territories. This piece highlights how some de facto states have responded (information as of 13th March).

Ramesh Ganohariti | 13 Mar 2020

Place of the Week The Black Hills

Not for Sale

The Black Hills are home to the largest dispute between the US government and Native Americans. Read why the Sioux Nation says no to $1.3 billion.

De Facto | 9 Mar 2020

News Abkhazia

Abkhazia and South Ossetia Close Borders

Abkhazia and South Ossetia closed their borders with Georgia after Georgia confirmed its first case of coronavirus infection. Abkhazia stated the Ingur border crossing will remain closed until 7 April. The closure of local checkpoints between South Ossetia and Georgia is indefinite. Border crossings with Russia remain open, although cases of coronavirus infection have been confirmed in Russia as well. Foreign citizens with the exception of Russians are banned from entering Abkhazia.

Sputnik | 2 Mar 2020

News Northern Cyprus

Protest Over Checkpoints Closing

Dozens of Greek and Turkish Cypriots protested against a government decision to temporarily close four checkpoints on the Green Line as part of measures to prevent an outbreak of coronavirus. The demonstrators scuffled with police and pushed aside barricades, making their way into the buffer zone. They said the coronavirus was being used as an excuse to close the checkpoints and prevent free movement on the island.

In Cyprus | 29 Feb 2020

Storytelling Project

Subjectio: Online Storytelling

Exactly six years after multimedia journalist Pierre Crom witnessed the very beginning of the annexation of Crimea, Subjectio is launched: an experimental online storytelling project about methods used by superpowers to control and manipulate the representation of the truth. Subjectio explores the boundaries of storytelling using social media and crafted digital tools, uncovering the structure of disinformation and propaganda.

Subjectio | 26 Feb 2020

Place of the Week Kosovo

Twelve Years of Independence

On 17 February, Kosovo celebrates the twelfth anniversary of its independence. Many citizens cherish new hopes for the future now Albin Kurti of Vetevendosje (Self-determination) recently has been elected as their new Prime Minister.

De Facto | 17 Feb 2020

Video

Is Brexit Secession?

What is Brexit? Is it a case of secession? Or should we think of it in other terms? In this video, James Ker-Lindsay (London School of Economics) explores how we can best define the United Kingdom’s departure from the European Union.

James Ker-Lindsay | 11 Feb 2020

place of the week Machias Seal Island

10,000 Puffins and two lighthouse keepers

Where the Canada-US border falls into the ocean, one final territorial dispute exists. Machias Seal Island is a 1-hectare landmass permanently inhabited by over 5,000 mating pairs of puffins and two Canadian lighthouse keepers.

De Facto | 7 Feb 2020

Film Tip Nagorno-Karabakh

Nothing to Be Afraid Of

Metre by metre, a group of women is clearing the ‘Lachin Corridor’, a former combat zone in Nagorno-Karabakh where thousands of mines were planted. Director Khnkanosian focuses entirely on the physical routine and solemn solidarity among the women, and their impressive inner strength.

International Film Festival Rotterdam | 31 Jan 2020

Film Tip Abkhazia

Little Man, Time and the Troubadour

Artist Sipa Labakhua travels the land of his birth, Abkhazia, with his puppet theatre. His father was an idealistic politician who was forced by the war with Georgia to flee to Moscow. Now, his son has returned home and collects memories and reflections of a colourful community that includes nationalist Abkhazians, immigrants and artists. A poetic road movie by director Ineke Smits.

International Film Festival Rotterdam | 29 Jan 2020

Place of the Week State of Jefferson

The 51st State of America

Since California achieved statehood in 1850, there have been over 200 attempts to break it up. On November 27th in 1941, armed men roadblocked the borders and informed all vehicles about the new territory they were entering: the State of Jefferson.

De Facto | 27 Jan 2020

Event

De Facto Live #2

The pictures of our second event are now online! It was a great evening, with interviews, presentations and inspiring stories. Thank you all for joining us and hopefully see you again at our next event in De Roode Bioscoop (Amsterdam).

De Facto | 22 Jan 2020

Link Donetsk People’s Republic

Russia Uses South Ossetia to Finance Donbass Republics

The Security Service of Ukraine (SSU) uncovered a plot to covertly finance unrecognized republics in eastern Ukraine through South Ossetia.

JAM NEWS | 20 Jan 2020

Link

New De Facto State Research Unit in Tartu

In the effort to elucidate and understand de facto states, the University of Tartu (Estonia) recently founded the De Facto State Research Unit. From Somaliland to Transnistria and everywhere in between, their goal is to uncover these hidden spots that may turn out unexpectedly influential in world politics. Director Eiki Berg and his team are dedicated to producing innovative scholarship in the developing field of de facto state research.

De Facto State Research Unit | 20 Jan 2020

Link Minerva

A Short-lived Libertarian Utopia

Forty-eight years ago today, millionaire Michael J. Oliver declared the independence of the Republic of Minerva, hoping that the small island reclaimed from the sea would ‘one day attract a population of thirty thousand’.

De Facto | 19 Jan 2020

LISTEN

De Facto Live on Dutch Public Radio

De Facto was hosted by the Dutch radio show Bureau Buitenland to tell about our passion for stamps, frictional states and curious borders.

Bureau Buitenland | 14 Jan 2020

News

Qualification for the Alternative World Cup

CONIFA, the Confederation of Independent Football Associations, just announced the teams that have qualified for the World Football Cup in North Macedonia, June 2020. Teams from places like Metabeleland, Kabylia, Panjab, Cascadia and the Chagos Islands are overlooked by FIFA and will get a chance to win their place on a global stage in this alternative tournament.

CONIFA | 4 Jan 2020

Place of the Week Baarle

Fireworks in Baarle

These days, Baarle Hertog is highly popular among the Dutch. While they are only allowed to buy fireworks from the 28th of December in their own country, in Belgium they can buy crackers all year round. As a result, the small border town is plagued with long cues and traffic jams - but for the local businesses, it is heyday.

De Facto | 28 Dec 2019

Place Talossa

Azul from Talossa

Zooks! Already 40 years ago this micronation was launched. Covering no less then eight provinces and a piece of Antarctica.

De Facto | 26 Dec 2019

Long read South Ossetia

Mountains, Wildflowers and Silent Witnesses

On this day, 28 years ago, the South Ossetian parliament voted for full independence from Georgia. Still, its borders remain unrecognized. If you manage to cross them, however, you will find amazing nature and hospitable people.

Joost Smets | 21 Dec 2019

News Bougainville

The World's Newest Country

The South Pacific region of Bougainville voted overwhelmingly to become the world’s newest nation by gaining independence from Papua New Guinea. More than 98% of valid ballots favored independence.

Time | 11 Dec 2019

In Focus Kosovo

Recognition Battle between Belgrade and Pristina

With its overt campaign to reduce the number of countries that recognize Kosovo as an independent state, Serbia has provoked the wrath of its neighbour. The battle intensifies.

Jorie Horsthuis | 9 Dec 2019

Photo essay Nagorno-Karabakh

Picturing the Uncertain Calm

Sniper fire and clashes have become rare on the international border between Armenia and Azerbaijan. In a year that has seen positive steps to mitigate the decades-old conflict in and around Nagorno-Karabakh, this photo essay illustrates how some Armenian front-line villagers’ lives have slowly improved.

International Crisis Group | 5 Dec 2019

News

World Football Cup 2020 in North Macedonia

The World Football Cup 2020 for de facto states and minority peoples will be held in Skopje, North Macedonia. The tournament will consist of 16 teams; the qualification period ends in December 2019. The event will take place from 30 May-7 June 2020.

CONIFA | 2 Dec 2019

Link Bougainville

Birth of a Nation?

On November 23, residents of the remote archipelago of Bougainville will decide about their future. This referendum about independence has been 20 years in the making.

The Guardian | 20 Nov 2019

Event Antarctica

Archive of the Future

What happens when all the ice melts and Antarctica is colonized? Browse through the archive of the future: scenarios, interviews, diary entries—all sort of stories that take place in Antarctica after the year 2119. The literary website Project Antarctica was presented on November 21 in Pakhuis de Zwijger in Amsterdam.

Pakhuis de Zwijger | 21 Nov 2019

FILM TIP Falkland Islands

IDFA is in town

De Facto selected 1982, a documentary on the mechanisms of propaganda during the Falklands War. In 1982, when the Argentine military dictatorship invaded the Falkland Islands, the government left no stone unturned in using propaganda to convince the people of the righteousness of their mission.

IDFA | 20 Nov 2019

News

We’re online!

On November 14, 2019, we launched our platform about Frictional States & Bouncing Borders. It was a great evening, with interviews, presentations and inspiring stories. Thank you all for joining us!

De Facto | 15 Nov 2019

News Catalonia

Ode to the Senyera

The new shirt of FC Barcelona is an ode to the Senyera, the flag of Catalonia, thereby making a political statement to support the independence movement.

De Facto | 13 Nov 2019

Long read Luhansk People’s Republic

The Bridge to Nowhere

The war is essentially over in eastern Ukraine, but peace hasn’t yet begun. A visit to the self-proclaimed mini-state known as the People’s Republic of Luhansk shows that the road back to normality is long and full of obstacles. A story by Christian Esch, images from Emily Ducke.

Der Spiegel

Project Mont Blanc

The Reunion, 2018

Have a look at the project by the Dutch artist Vibeke Mascini that aims to reunite the two ‘summits’ that have been expropriated from Mont Blanc—during the first ascend in 1786 and the second in 1787, after being kept in different European museum collections for centuries, both far away from the mountain itself.

Vibeke Mascini | 14 Nov 2019

NEWS Chagos Archipelago

Pressure Grows on Britain to Return Its Last African Colony

From a one-story house with mustard-colored walls off a bustling road in Mauritius, Olivier Bancoult is defying the U.K. by plotting a return to the tiny tropical island where he was born.

Bloomberg | 10 Nov 2019

Long read Catalonia

‘My Country or My Husband? What a Nasty Question’

She is a separatist from Barcelona, he is a unionist, born in Madrid. A portrait of a marriage that cracks under the Catalan crisis. (Article in Dutch)

Koen Greven | 8 Nov 2019

Book Tip Catalonia

Catalonia Torn Apart

Dutch journalist Koen Greven enters behind the scenes of the strive for independence in Catalonia.

De Facto | 4 Nov 2019

Anniversary Westarctica

90 Degrees West and 150 Degrees West

Eighteen years ago Travis McHenry claimed this chunck of Antarctica. And he named himself Grand Duke.

De Facto | 2 Nov 2019

News Kosovo

Serbian Minister Confronts Kosovo Ambassador at UN

‘Vlora Citaku is still a citizen of the Republic of Serbia’, said Serbian Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic about Kosovo’s ambassador to the US, Vlora Citaku, at a UN Security Council meeting in New York.

Balkan Insight | 1 Nov 2019

Tweet of the week Molossia

Pumkins & Spiders

Happy Halloween from the Republic of Molossia!

Twitter | 31 Oct 2019

News Spratly Islands

How UK will team up with US and Dutch in bold mission in 2021

BRITAIN’S new aircraft carrier,HMS Queen Elizabeth, will make her maiden operational deployment as part of a joint US-Dutch-UK naval mission to the South China Sea in 2021.

Express | 30 Oct 2019

News Catalonia

Catalonia crisis: Separatist protest in Barcelona

Nine separatist leaders were jailed on 14 October 2019 by Spain’s Supreme Court for between nine and 13 years after being convicted of sedition. The days that followed saw some of the worst violence in the history of the modern independence movement.

BBC | 27 Oct 2019

News Jammu & Kashmir

Cross-border shelling marks escalation in Kashmir dispute

Soldiers and civilians killed on both sides as India and Pakistan blame each other.

The Guardian | 20 Oct 2019

NEWS Spratly Islands

Abominable: A DreamWorks Movie, a Map, and a huge Regional Row

Malaysian censors have ordered a scene to be cut from DreamWorks film Abominable before it is screened there—because of a brief glimpse of a map.

BBC NEWS | 18 Oct 2019

Curious Place Hans Island

Bring Your Own Booze

Always been curious what happens up North?

De Facto

Long read Ceuta & Melilla

Lost Boys in Melilla

Many boys from Morocco try to reach the European continent through the Spanish exclave Melilla. A search for these boys and their dreams in Fez, Melilla, Brussels and the Dutch city of Heerhugowaard. ‘In Europe, you can get 2000 euros a month. I want that too.’ (Article in Dutch)

Koen Greven | 18 Apr 2019

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