List of active separatist movements in Africa

Criteria

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

• 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 : for political parties involved in a political system to push for autonomy or secession.
• * Militant organisation: for armed organisations.
• * Advocacy group: for non-belligerent, non-politically participatory entities.
• * Ethnic/ethno-religious/racial/regional/religious group.

Algeria

• Ethnic group: Kabyle Berbers
• * Proposed state: Kabylia.
• * Government-in-exile: Kabyle Provisional Government.
• * Movement leader: Ferhat Mehenni.
• * Political party: Movement for the self-determination of Kabylie.

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

• Ethnic group: Bakongo
• *Proposed state: Republic of Cabinda
• *Government-in-exile: Frente para a Libertação do Enclave de Cabinda (FLEC)
• *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

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

Botswana

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

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

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

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

Burundi

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

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

• People: Oron
• *Population: 150,000-300,000 people
• * Proposed state: Democratic Republic of Bakassi
• * Militant organization: Bakassi Movement for Self-Determination

• Ethnic group: Kanuri people
• * Proposed state: Kanowra

Cape Verde

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

Central African Republic

• 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

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

Chad

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

Republic of Congo

• 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

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

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

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

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

Djibouti

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

Eritrea

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

• 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

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

• 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 or unification with
• *Political party: Ogaden National Liberation Front
• Proposed state or autonomous area: Oromia
• *Political party: Oromo Liberation Front, Oromo Federalist Congress
• *Militant organizations: Oromo Liberation Army

• 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
• *Militant organizations: Tigray Defense Forces

France

Gabon

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

Ghana

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

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

Kenya

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

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

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

Ivory Coast

• Ethnic group: Bété people
• * Proposed state: Ebournie

Liberia

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

Libya

• 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

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

Malawi

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

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

• 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

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

• Ethnic group: Khassonké people
• * Proposed state: Kayes

Mauritania

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

• Proposed state or autonomous region: Atmoulay or unification with

Mauritius

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

• 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

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

Mozambique

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

Namibia

• Ethnic group: Masubia, Nzanza, Mbowe, Makalahari, MaYeyi, Mampukushu, Makwengari, Mambunda, Matotela, Batoka, Mafwe, Barotse, Leya, Nanzwa, Lujana,
• * 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

• Ethnic group: Baster
• * Proposed autonomous area: Rehoboth area
• * Political party: The United People's Movement Rehoboth Basters

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

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

Niger

• Ethnic group: Tuareg people
• * Proposed: independence for Agadez Region
• * Militant organizations: Patriotic Liberation Front

Nigeria

• Ethnic group: Igbo, Anioma, Igede, Igala, Idoma, Ijaw, Kalabari, Ibibio, and Ogoni.
• *Proposed state or autonomous area:
• *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

• 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
• * Movement leaders: Professor Stephen Adebanji Akintoye, Sunday Igboho
• * O'odua Grand Alliance for Independence & Oodua People's Congress Ogafi.org
• * Status: Constitutional Force Majeure

• 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 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,
• *Status: Ongoing war

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

• 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

• 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
• Ethnic group: Somali, primarily the Majeerteen subclan of the Harti subclan within the Darod clan.
• * De facto: Republic of Puntland
• * Executive branch: Government of Puntland
• * Legislative branch: House of Representatives of Puntland
• * Judicial branch: Supreme Court of Puntland
• * Armed forces: Puntland Dervish Force, Puntland Security Forces, Puntland Maritime Police Force

Somaliland

• 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.

• 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

• Proposed state or autonomous area: Cape Republic
• *Ethnic groups: Cape Coloureds, Afrikaners, Khoisan, Cape Malays, Bantu peoples of South Africa
• *Political parties: Freedom Front Plus Referendum Party Cape Independence Party
• *Advocacy groups: CapeXit Cape Independence Advocacy Group
• 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
• *Status: Unrecognized

• Ethnic group: Afrikaners
• *Proposed state or autonomous area: Volkstaat
• *Political Party: Freedom Front Plus. 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

South Sudan

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

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

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

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

Spain

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

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

Sudan

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Tanzania

• Ethnic group: Arabs, Shirazi
• * Proposed state: Zanzibar
• *Political party: Civic United Front, Uamsho

• Ethnic group: Makonde people
• * Proposed state: Mtwara

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

Togo

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

Tunisia

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

Uganda

• 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

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

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

• 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 All Party Parliamentary Group

Yemen

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

Zambia

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

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

Zimbabwe

• Ethnic group: Matabele
• * Proposed state: Mthwakazi
• * Militant organization: Mthwakazi Liberation Front
• *Political party: Matabeleland Freedom Party
• *Revolutionary Movement: Mthwakazi Republic Party
• *Matabele is a charter member of the Organization of Emerging African States.

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