List of current non-sovereign African monarchs

This is a list of reigning non-sovereign monarchs in Africa, including traditional rulers and governing constitutional monarchs, but not the kings of Lesotho, Morocco and Eswatini. Each monarch listed below reigns over a legally recognised dominion located internally within a sovereign state, but in most cases possess little or no sovereign governing power themselves. Their titles, however, are recognised by the state. Entries are listed beside their respective dominions, and are grouped by country.

• A
• B
• C
• E
• G
• I
• K
• L
• M
• N
• R
• S
• T
• U
• Z

• Country notes
• Background
• See also
• References
• Notes
• Further reading

Background

The roles, powers, and influence of non-sovereign monarchs throughout Africa vary greatly depending on the state. In some states, such as Angola, the local king may play an integral role in the local governing council of a region, such is the case with the king of Bailundo, or on a smaller level, such as many of the Fons of Cameroon, they may be seen as leaders or heads of a particular town, settlement, or village. They are often regarded as custodians of tradition and culture, and in some cases, play an important role in local religious activities (such as in Benin, where some of the kings double as heads of Vodun cults and are believed to have spiritual powers).

Their relationship with the national government of which their respective realm sits within can be complex. Particularly influential monarchs are often sought after by local politicians and elected leaders for support, while others have contentious relationships with their national governments. In some cases, the national government has stepped in to curtail the influence of non-sovereign monarchs (such as when Chadian government suspended the powers of the Ouaddai sultan in 2022, or when the emir of Kano was deposed by the regional government).

List

Country notes

Cameroon

Cameroon's traditional authorities are split into first, second, and third degree chiefdoms. First degree chiefdoms contain at least two second degree chiefdoms, while second degree chiefdoms contain at least two third degree chiefdoms. Third degree chiefdoms generally contain only a village, small rural area or a small part of an urban centre. Some leaders are from ancient, pre-colonial lineages, while others are appointed by political leaders. The extent of authority between traditional authorities varies.

There are around 79 first degree chiefdoms, 875 second degree chiefdoms, and 12,582 third degree chiefdoms.

Ghana

The Constitution of the Republic of Ghana establishes the rule of traditional leaders, as well as a National House of Chiefs. All traditional leaders are registered with the National House of Chiefs as well as with the eleven Regional Houses of Chiefs, in accordance with the Chieftaincy (Membership of Regional Houses of Chiefs) Instrument, as published in the Gazette.

Nigeria

For a full list of the extant Nigerian traditional states and their rulers, see List of Nigerian traditional states.

Although Nigeria's traditional monarchs are legally recognized (by way of the numerous Chiefs' Laws), they do not currently have a constitutional role in the country.

South Africa

In 2004, the Mbeki administration established the Commission on Traditional Leadership Disputes and Claims (CTLDC) to determine the legitimacy of the nation's traditional kingships. The purpose of the commission was to reconstruct the institutions of indigenous leadership after their distortion under the colonial and apartheid regimes.

In July 2010, acting on the findings of the commission, the Zuma administration announced that the government would cease recognising a total of six of the thirteen traditional kingships upon the deaths of their incumbent monarchs. Their successors would be recognised as "principal traditional leaders", a status yet to be defined. The commission was denounced by several senior traditional leaders, who have taken the government to court in an attempt to reverse the ruling.

Notes

Africa

Benin

Botswana

Burkina Faso

Cameroon

Namibia

South Africa

Uganda

See also

• African royalty (category)
• List of current constituent Asian monarchs

Further reading

• Cahoon, Ben (2000–2010). .
• Soszynski, Henry (1996–2010). . University of Queensland. Archived from on 22 May 2010.
• Tick, Donald P. (2004–2008). . Blogger.
• Tick, Donald P. (2008–2010). . Blogger.
• Tick, Donald P. (2007–2010). .
• Van Klinken, Gerry (2007). "Return of the Sultans: The Communitarian Turn in Local Politics". The Revival of Tradition in Indonesian Politics: The Deployment of Adat from Colonialism to Indigenism. London: Routledge: 149–169. SSRN .