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The Principality of Bir Tawil, a desert territory between Egypt and Sudan, joins the Organization of Antarctic Lands—uniting forgotten lands
This move marks a rare act of leadership from the heart of the desert, in one of the world’s last unclaimed regions. By joining the Organization of Antarctic Lands, Bir Tawil affirms its role in international cooperation and territorial stewardship. The joint regency now linking Bir Tawil and West Antarctic reflects a shared commitment to giving structure and voice to regions long overlooked by traditional powers.
The Principality of Bir Tawil has officially joined the Organization of Antarctic Lands (ALO), thereby strengthening its symbolic legitimacy as an autonomous entity engaged in international cooperation. At the same time, the Prince Regent of the Principality of West Antarctic, H.S.H. Giovanni Caporaso, has also assumed the title of Regent of the desertic Principality of Bir Tawil—an act that unites two unclaimed territories under a common diplomatic vision. While unusual, this action echoes historic self-proclamations of sovereignty made to protect forgotten peoples or to stabilize ungoverned regions.
A Land Without a State, Now with a Voice
Bir Tawil is a geopolitical anomaly: a stretch of desert between Egypt and Sudan, ignored by both nations due to a colonial-era border dispute. Officially, no country claims it. In fact, it is one of the few remaining pieces of land on Earth not claimed by any sovereign nation.
As outlined by the ALO (source), this terra nullius status allowed the creation of the Principality of Bir Tawil: a Country in the desert, not internationally recognized, but structured around principles of self-determination, sustainability, and the defense of voiceless territories.
By joining the Organization of Antarctic Lands, the Principality strengthens its commitment to a network of this Nation and territories that promote alternative forms of peaceful governance and territorial cooperation.
The Dual Regency: Not an Expansion in the Desert, but a Responsibility
The Prince Regent of West Antarctic, already a key figure within the ALO, has declared himself Regent of Bir Tawil as well. Though not based on an electoral mandate, the decision has been supported by the acknowledgment of nomadic communities. It is not a move of personal ambition but a stated intention to protect the culture of Bir Tawil’s nomadic peoples of the desert, to uphold self-determination, and to ensure institutional continuity in a neglected territory.
This self-proclamation follows the strategic approach recommended by the ALO for consolidating territorial claims (source), through the exercise of civil functions, official acts, and long-term geopolitical vision.
Historical Precedents of Rulers Born from Political Voids
Throughout history, in the absence of functioning state authorities, individual figures have taken up leadership to protect abandoned or fragmented territories. Notable examples include:
- Simón Bolívar, who proclaimed himself “Libertador” to lead the independence of vast South American regions, taking responsibility for people without representation against colonial rule.
- Giuseppe Garibaldi, who, without royal authority, led the unification of Southern Italy—not out of personal ambition, but to drive a collective project of freedom and identity.
- Joshua Norton, “Norton I, Emperor of the United States,” an eccentric yet symbolic figure who, in the mid-1800s, declared himself emperor in protest against political corruption, earning the respect of San Francisco citizens.
- King George of Corsica (Theodor von Neuhoff), who in 1736 declared himself King of Corsica with local support, attempting to free the island from foreign domination and establish an independent state.
These cases show that, under certain conditions, self-proclamation can serve as a legitimate political act to fill a void, represent forgotten communities, and initiate political projects—even without initial formal recognition.
An Alternative Form of Diplomacy and Representation
The union of Bir Tawil and West Antarctic under a shared regency is not a territorial acquisition, but a symbolic consolidation. It is a way to give visibility to territories that would otherwise remain silent. The ALO, through its work in civil diplomacy, sustainability, and cultural recognition, provides a platform for these alternative sovereignty initiatives.
The act of the Prince Regent is, ultimately, a declaration of commitment to lands and communities outside the scope of mainstream geopolitics. In a world where legitimacy is increasingly measured by the ability to care—even symbolically—for forgotten lands and peoples, this gesture holds not just historical significance, but deep political weight. A voice from the desert!
