African States and Delimitation of the Common Heritage of Mankind Area

Abstract

The delimitation of the Area (as distinct from the seabed and subsoil within national jurisdiction) is crucial for the purposes of determining the geographical scope of the CHM Area. African coastal states, 39 in number, have a role to play in the determination of the limits of the Area by ascertaining the outer limits of their continental shelves as required by the provisions of LOSC. This chapter starts by examining the geographical scope of the Area and then proceeds to examine the role of African states in the demarcation of this ocean space.