List of states with limited recognition

In international law a political entity needs to fulfill different criteria to become a state: One of these criteria is that other states must recognize it as a state. If more states recognize it, becoming a de jure sovereign state will be easier.

Many of the territories listed below broke off (separated themselves) from their original parent state, and so they are often referred to as "break-away" states. They may have some military protection and informal diplomatic representation abroad. Another state may help them avoid forced reincorporation into its original state.

Partially recognized states with de facto control over their territory

• Abkhazia in Georgia is a self-declared and more or less functioning independent state. Recognized by the Russian Federation, Nicaragua, and Venezuela. It is situated between the Caucasus and the Black Sea, recognized by Georgian government as a part of northwestern Georgia. During the Soviet period Abkhazia was merged back with Georgia in 1931 as an autonomous republic within Soviet Georgia. The Abkhazian Soviets proclaimed independence from Georgia in 1992, and a short war ensued from 1992 through 1994. A June 1994 ceasefire has largely held, leaving Abkhazia outside the control of Georgia's central government.

United Nations member states that are only partially recognized by the totality of the other UN members are not listed here. (For example, 39 countries do not recognize Israel.)

• The Republic of China (R.O.C), which controls only Taiwan and some list of islands of the Republic of China since losing the Chinese Civil War in 1949, lost most of its diplomatic recognition and UN seat to the People's Republic of China in October 25, 1971 by UN General Assembly Resolution 2758 and now is currently officially recognized by only 23 states. It conducts de facto (all but in name) relations with most countries through institutions such as the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Offices. (See political status of Taiwan).

• The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) was set up in northern Cyprus in 1975, following the intervention of the Turkish Army in 1974, in response to a coup d'état by the Greek junta aiming at "enosis". The TRNC declared independence in 1983 and it is recognised only by Turkey. A United Nations proposal to unify the two Cypriot states was accepted by the TRNC, but rejected in a referendum by the Greek Cypriot community, citing security concerns. Further attempts at reunification have thus far been unsuccessful.
• South Ossetia in Georgia is a self-declared and more or less functioning independent state with no international recognition from any other nation. After occupation of independent Georgia by Bolshevist Russia in 1921 it became the South Ossetian Autonomous Oblast within Soviet Georgia. It proclaimed independence from Georgia in 1991, and a ceasefire was declared in 1992.
• Nagorno-Karabakh in Azerbaijan is (since 1991) a self-declared and more or less functioning independent state but is not recognised as independent. It is internationally recognized as being part of Azerbaijan, but has an ethnic-Armenian majority.

Unrecognized states with de facto control over their territory

• Somaliland (since 1991) ¹. Located in north of Somalia. In May of 1991, northern clans declared an independent Republic of Somaliland that now includes five of the eighteen administrative regions of Somalia, corresponding to British Somaliland which is located between Ethiopia, Djibouti, Puntland and the Gulf of Aden.

• Transnistria (Pridnestrovie) is the part of Moldova east of the river Dniester and (since 1990) a self-declared and more or less functioning independent state with no international recognition from any sovereign state. It has a majority Slavic population, as opposed to majority Moldovan which Moldova has. Also known as the, Dniester Republic, this de facto state has it own police, army and currency and functions outside of the jurisdiction of Moldova, however there is no sign so far of it becoming an internationally recognised country.

Partially recognized states largely under military occupation

• The State of Palestine was declared in 1988 and recognized by a series of Arab and Muslim countries. Today it is recognized by 132 UN member states. (See also proposals for a Palestinian state, Palestinian territories, Gaza Strip, West Bank, and Israel all of which include articles about areas in the Palestine region.)
• Western Sahara is a territory claimed and largely administered by Morocco since Spain abandoned the territory in 1976. The Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic controls the remainder of Western Sahara; it was proclaimed by the Front Polisario in 1976, is recognized by 51 UN member states, and a full member of the African Union. Sovereignty is unresolved and the United Nations is attempting to hold a referendum on the issue through the mission MINURSO. The UN-administered cease-fire has been in effect since September 1991. Western Sahara is on the United Nations list of Non-Self-Governing Territories.

Internationally administered territory

• Republic of Kosovo is recognized as an independent and sovereign country by 107 UN member states, including the U.S., 23 out of 27 EU members, etc. The International Court of Justice found that Kosovo's declaration of independence did not violate international law.

Historic unrecognized or partially recognized states with de facto control over their territory

Europe

• Banat Republic (proclaimed in 1918). Now part of Romania, Serbia, and Hungary.
• Baranya-Baja Republic (proclaimed in 1921). Now part of Hungary and Croatia.
• Carpatho-Ukraine (1939). Now part of Ukraine.
• Chechnya (1996-1999). Now controlled by Russian forces. See also Chechen Republic of Ichkeria.
• Independent State of Croatia (1941-1945). Between 1945 and 1991, Croatia was a people's/socialist republic within Yugoslavia. Since 1991, Croatia is an independent country. Recognized since 1992.
• Irish Republic (1919-1922). Now it is divided into the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.
• Finnish Socialist Workers' Republic (1918)
• Free Derry (August 14 1969 to July 31 1972) Now it is part of Northern Ireland.
• Gagauzia (1990-1994). Now part of Moldova.
• Croatian Republic of Herzeg-Bosnia (1992-1994). Now part of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
• Lajtabansag State (1921). Now part of Austria.
• Limerick Soviet (1919). Now part of Republic of Ireland.
• Montenegro (1941-1944). Formerly in union with Republic of Serbia in Serbia and Montenegro.
• Serbia (1941-1944). Formerly in union with Republic of Montenegro in Serbia and Montenegro.
• Republic of Serbian Frontier (1991-1995). Now part of Croatia.
• Slovakia (1939-1945). Between 1945 and 1993, Slovakia was part of Czechoslovakia. Since 1993, Slovakia is an independent country.
• Serbian Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina (1992-1995). Now one of the two entities of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
• State of Slovenes, Croats and Serbs (1918). Now part of Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia and Montenegro.
• Republic of Užice (1941). Now part of Serbia and Montenegro.
• Republic of West Bosnia (1993-1995). Now part of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
• Sealand

Asia

• Kachin State is the northernmost state of Myanmar, controlled since 1962 by the Kachin Independence Organization but not diplomatically recognized by any country. In 1994, KIO and the Union of Myanmar agreed to formalize the status quo by creating the "Kachin State Special Region #1", officially still a part of the Union of Myanmar but de facto controlled by KIO.
• Kurdish Autonomous Region (1991-2003). A de facto independent state in Northern Iraq. Now part of the independent kurdish autonomous region.
• Manchukuo (1932-1945). Out of 80 then existing nations 23 recognized the new state. Now part of the People's Republic of China.
• Tatarstan (1990 -1994). Now part of Russia
• Tuva (1921-1944). Now part of Russia
• Nakhichevan (1990). Now part of Azerbaijan.
• Talysh-Mugan Republic (proclaimed in 1993). Now part of Azerbaijan.
• Tamil Eelam (1983-2009). A part of Sri Lanka. For about 20 years the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam maintained a de facto state in the North and East of Sri Lanka until their defeat in 2009.

Africa

• Anjouan (1997-2002). Now part of Comoros.
• Biafra controlled territory in eastern Nigeria between the time of its secession in May 1967 until its final military collapse in January 1970. It was recognized by 12 nations.
• Katanga controlled the state of the same name within the former Belgian Congo after decolonisation, between 1960 and 1964.
• Mohéli (1997-1998). Now part of Comoros.
• Rhodesia. British Colony that unilaterally declared independence in 1965. This action was not legally recognized by any other nation, nor the declaration of Rhodesia as a republic in 1970. This entity remained until 1979, when it became Zimbabwe-Rhodesia.
• Zimbabwe-Rhodesia. Formed in 1979 after negotiations between white minority government and moderate black leaders. Existed 1 June to 12 December 1979, when it became the colony of South Rhodesia again. In 1980 it became the Republic of Zimbabwe.

South African Homelands

Created by the Republic of South Africa from its own territory

• Bophuthatswana (1977-1994). Former Thuisland formed and only recognized by South Africa, Transkei, Ciskei, and Venda. Now part of South Africa.
• Ciskei (1981-1994). Former Thuisland formed and only recognized by South Africa, Bophuthatswana, Transkei, and Venda. Now part of South Africa.
• Transkei (1976-1994). Former Thuisland formed and only recognized by South Africa, Bophuthatswana, Ciskei, and Venda. Now part of South Africa.
• Venda (1979-1994). Former Thuisland formed and only recognized by South Africa, Bophuthatswana, Ciskei, and Transkei. Now part of South Africa.

Americas

• Independent State of Acre (1899-1903). Now part of Brazil.
• California Republic (1846-1848). Now part of the United States of America.
• Confederate States of America (1861-1865). Originally formed on February 4, 1861 by seven Southern slave states (South Carolina, Mississippi, Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Texas, and Louisiana) after confirmation of the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States. Jefferson Davis was selected as its first President the next day. After the American Civil War began, the states of Virginia, Tennessee, Arkansas, and North Carolina joined. Recognized diplomatically only by Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, though recognized by some nations as a "belligerent power". Now part of the United States of America.
• Republic of Hawaii (1894-1898). Now part of the United States of America.
• Republic of Texas (1836-1845). Five nations recognized this entity. Now part of the United States of America.
• Vermont Republic (1771-1791). Now part of the United States of America.
• Piratini Republic (1836-1845). Today's Rio Grande do Sul, part of Brazil.
• Republic of the Rio Grande 1840. Now part of the United States.
• Republic of the Yucatán 1841-1843. Short-lived separatist state; reintegrated into Mexico.
• Republic of Canada (1837-1838). Now part of Canada.

Oceania

• Bougainville (Republic of North Solomons) (1990-1997). Signed a peace deal with Papua New Guinea giving the island autonomy pending an independence referendum within a decade.
• Rotuma (1987-1988). This Polynesian-inhabited island which is administered by (Melanesian) Fiji declared its independence from Fiji by separatists after the military coups in Fiji in 1987.
• (Kanaky). The Nouméa Accords of 1998 postponed a referendum on independence until after 2014.

Historic unrecognized or partially recognized governments with de facto control over their territory

These regimes had control over the territory of a country for which most other states recognized a different government as being the legitimate government:

• Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (1996-2001). Only three states recognized this entity while the Taliban controlled it. See: History of Afghanistan.
• People's Republic of Kampuchea (1979-1989). Set up by the Vietnamese after their invasion and rout of the Khmer Rouge in Cambodia. Only a few Soviet-Bloc nations recognized this entity, while the UN, China, and most other nations recognized the Khmer Rouge's Democratic Kampuchea government. Succeeded by the State of Cambodia, then the Kingdom of Cambodia.

Related pages

• List of countries