Classification conundrums: Classifying, re-classifying and de-classifying conflicts involving alliances, coalitions, umbrella groups and proxy’s

The proposed monograph aims explore the following constructs, ‘alliances’, ‘coalitions’, ‘umbrella groups’ and ‘proxy’s’ in the context of the law of conflict classification. These notions remain undefined in International Humanitarian law (IHL), specifically treaty law. The existence of non-state actors (NSA) pledging alliance and acting in alliances with international terrorist groups such as IS, who are known for forming coalitions to engage enemies, organizing itself in umbrella structures with militias and often acting as proxies for states poses difficulty for those tasked with classification which is by and large unchartered in existing literature. The proposed monograph aims to promote a better understanding of these notions in seeking for an operational definition, and further to explore how role players categorized as ‘alliances’, ‘coalitions’, ‘umbrella groups’ and ‘proxies’ impact the start of conflicts (classification), the end of conflicts (declassification), the geographic footprint of conflicts (re-classification), the organizational requirement (classification, re-classification and de-classification) and the intensity requirement (classification, re-classification and de-classification). Specific attention will be paid to challenges and contemporary examples from the African continent to provide practical guidance supported by doctrinal research.