Eighth Annual IBRU Milefsky Award Honours African Union Borders Programme

Since 2007, the AUBP has supported the definition of more than 80,000 km of borders across the African continent. More recently, the AUBP has supplemented its commitment to delimitation and demarcation of borders with the African Union Strategy for a Better Integrated Border Governance, which seeks to promote cross-border cooperation and economic development through the free movement (entry and exit) of persons and goods and the joint use of infrastructure and resources.

Overall, the AUBP is committed to preventing conflicts along the borders of African states through advancing synergy in delimitation and demarcation of borders, promotion of cross-border cooperation, development of borders areas, strengthening capacity of border stakeholders, and knowledge sharing.

In granting the award, IBRU Director Philip Steinberg noted, “Upon decolonisation, the African continent was faced with a challenging border situation. Colonising powers had drawn borders with little concern for historic divisions or natural features, and often these borders were poorly delimited as well. The AUBP has recognised this situation not just as a problem to be solved but an opportunity for cooperation. Through creative initiatives at the continental, regional, bilateral, national, and local levels, the AUBP has led the way in creating a coherent approach to border governance across the continent.”

The Milefsky Award is made possible by a bequest from the estate of Raymond Milefsky, a long-time borders expert with the US Department of State who was a frequent tutor at IBRU training workshops. The award includes a cash prize of £745.

The Milefsky Award is made annually to an individual or organisation that has advanced boundary-making or cross-border cooperation. Nominations for the 2026 award will open in February 2026.

More details about the award can be found here