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For a variety of reasons (often war), various political parties or governments have been forced into exile. These groups usually wield no power, but are seen as a protest against the regime that exiled them. This is a list of ten of those exiled governments.
The BNR was created as a pro-German buffer state against revolutionary Russia in 1918. The BNR was never a real state, as it had no constitution, no military and no defined territory. When German troops withdrew from Belarus, the region was quickly overrun by the Red Army, and the BNR provisional council went into exile to facilitate an anti-communist movement there. Its government still exists, though it is unrecognized and in exile in Toronto.
Cabinda is a region located in west central Africa between Angola and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Cabinda’s claims to independence from Angola trace back to its days as a Portuguese protectorate. When Angola achieved independence in the 1960s, the exiled Cabinda government declared independence as well, though it went unrecognized. Its government is currently based in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo.
This governing body once acted as a board of advisors for the reigning emperors of Ethiopia. When the monarchy was driven out in 1975, members of the Crown Council (including descendants of Haile Selassie) claimed that the emperorship still existed, and was thus the only legitimate head of state. Its current leader is Prince Ermias Sahle Selassie and it is based in Washington, DC.
The PPGE (as it’s abbreviated in Spanish) was founded as a pro-market, pro-democratic party in Equatorial Guinea in west Africa, after a lengthy period of repressive military authoritarianism. The volatile political situation in Equatorial Guinea led to party members’ harassment and imprisonment. In response, the party declared a “government-in-exile” in Madrid, where it is still located.
The monarchy of Lao traces its origins to the consolidated Kingdom of Laos, formed in 1946. In 1975, the monarchy was dissolved by the communist regime and was sent into exile. It remains opposed to the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, and its stated goal is “to institute in Laos a true democracy, one which will ensure freedom, justice, peace and prosperity for all Lao people.” Its headquarters is located in the U.S.
The NCGUB (National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma) was formed in 1995 at a convention in Bommersvik, Sweden. Among its founding goals were the support of the political initiatives of imprisoned Nobel laureate Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and the establishment of a democratic multi-party union through talks with the ruling military junta led by General Than Shwe. Members were elected to parliament but not allowed by the junta to take office. It is currently based in Rockville, Maryland, U.S.
This government was formed during the Yugoslav civil war of the 1990s but was reinstated in 2005. Serbian Krajina was formerly a self-proclaimed Serbian state within Croatia, though it was later overrun by Croatian forces. More recently, former legislators of the RSK again pushed for greater autonomy (though not independence) from the Croatian government. The RSK exiled government is headquartered in Belgrade.
Chechnya is a breakaway province in the Northern Caucasus and is the site of two devastating wars between Chechen separatists and the Russian Federation. When the Russians overran Grozny in 2000, the Chechen government was exiled to various Arab countries, the U.K., the U.S. and Poland. In 2007, Ichkerian President Dokka Umarov declared himself the “emir” of a greater Caucasus Emirate, though this has been rejected by pro-republican forces and members of the former Chechen government.
The modern Iranian monarchy was established in 1501 and was presided over by the Shahanshah, the equivalent of an emperor. Through much of its history, Iran was ruled by an absolute monarchy. It’s last ruling shah, Mohammed Reza Pahlavi, was deposed by the Islamic Revolution of 1979 and sent into exile. Upon his death, the crown passed to his eldest son Reza Pahlavi. He has used his position to try to influence the Iranian electorate to perform acts of civil disobedience and non-participation, though he opposes foreign military action to oust the Islamic regime. He currently lives in Potomac, Maryland, U.S.
Tibet is a region under the administration of the People’s Republic of China, a situation which is considered by the Central Tibetan Administration to be an unlawful occupation. The exiled Tibetan government is headed by Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama. The CTA claims jurisdiction over those regions referred to as “Historic Tibet.” Among its current functions are the the building of schools, health services, economic development and cultural activities for the international Tibetan community. Its current policy advocates autonomy rather than total independence. The CTA is based in Dharamsala, India, where the Dalai Lama first settled following the Chinese military occupation of Tibet in 1959. Pictured above is the Prime Minister of the Central Tibetan Administration.
Contributor: MortimerB
October 11th, 2008 at 3:17 am
You guys amaze me with the variety and consistent excellence of you work here… kudos
October 11th, 2008 at 3:24 am
Great List must’ve taken a lot of hard work to compile!! I think you need to change NCBUG to NCGUB in the title of #5
October 11th, 2008 at 4:21 am
Photoshopped!!!!!
October 11th, 2008 at 4:25 am
good list.
October 11th, 2008 at 4:47 am
mad guns on the list g, but tibet is and always will be a part of china.
October 11th, 2008 at 5:00 am
Great list Mortimer; very interesting.
October 11th, 2008 at 5:12 am
“Tibet is and always will be a part of China”? You mean in the same way that Poland is and always will be part of the German Empire? Or how India is and always will be part of the British Empire?
October 11th, 2008 at 5:13 am
Good work, MortimerB. Although many of these “governments in exile” are well known to the well read amongst us, many others are surprises!
Wonderful bit of research you did to find all the information on all this many legitimate governments in exile.
A few seem questionable to me, but I’m sure they aren’t questionable to the people involved, and who am I to judge the legitimacy of their claims to self government? That is exactly how the United States of America came into existence, by claiming their own autonomy, As a citizen of the U.S., with ancestors who fought in that war of Independence, I am loathe to deny that same right to any other group. As Thomas Jefferson so eloquently wrote when the colonies were beginning their path to freedom:
When in the Course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.
An interesting side note, to me anyway, most of the governments in exile, seem to set up shop *in* the U.S.
October 11th, 2008 at 5:18 am
I’ll think I’ll start my own country since I have to constitution, no territory and no army. Then I can protest the current government and put myself into exile based here in the US. Thats what it sounds like most of these people did. What kinds of tax breaks do I get for doing that? Can I get diplomatic license plates?
October 11th, 2008 at 5:29 am
what about Peteoria?
October 11th, 2008 at 6:23 am
..no comment..hehe..
October 11th, 2008 at 6:49 am
How many members of the provisional council of the Belarusian National Republic of 1918 are still alive? A monarchy in exile can always produce more heirs. A council in exile is going to struggle to find replacements. If they do find replacements, there will be questions about legitimacy.
October 11th, 2008 at 7:07 am
This is an interesting list. I’ve never heard of any of these before.
October 11th, 2008 at 7:19 am
Nice list.
October 11th, 2008 at 7:20 am
How about the Republic of China? Sure, they still have sovereignty over Taiwan, but they were exiled there in 1949.
October 11th, 2008 at 7:37 am
I would like to ask you to revise number 4. That war was not a civil war, it was Croatian war of independence.
October 11th, 2008 at 7:54 am
nice list
to that, you can add the polisario, the self proclamed government of Western Sahara, south of morocco… claiming independance
October 11th, 2008 at 8:37 am
Baxter: “You mean in the same way that Poland is and always will be part of the German Empire? Or how India is and always will be part of the British Empire?”
Do you want to give back all US territory to the Native Americans too? And what about Australia and New Zealand? Tibet has been part of China since early 18th century, and that is not going to change.
October 11th, 2008 at 8:45 am
Good list MoretimerB I recall # 7 Equatorial Guinea, is where that elite British soldier Simon Mann was sentenced to 34 years, for the failed coup to topple the government. He and the other mercenaries were arrested in Zimbabwe en rout.
They all spent time behind bars in Zim. but only Simon Mann was extradited to Equatorial Guinea and sentenced to 34 years
Sorry guys for going off the beaten track a bit.
Once again MortimerB – great list
October 11th, 2008 at 9:13 am
B-on :”Do you want to give back all US territory to the Native Americans too? And what about Australia and New Zealand? Tibet has been part of China since early 18th century, and that is not going to change.”
I don’t have a problem with China’s control over Tibet but its attitude exudes such intolerable arrogance which fails to recognize their appalling treatment of a serious issue.I would support China over this issue provided they listen to their people and recognize people as people and not as sheep which according to them desperately crave control and order.Democracy sucks in many ways but it is still the best system of governance we have right now.
October 11th, 2008 at 9:42 am
Yeah, more learning through listverse! I had only heard of Tibet- everything else was a surprise.
October 11th, 2008 at 9:46 am
As I was reading this I was thrilled to see Ethiopia on here. I went to school that was an Ethiopian princess who’s family has been living in the states ever since the government was driven out.
October 11th, 2008 at 10:06 am
Excellent list Mortimer B. Hope does in fact spring eternal in the human heart. Not a chance for most of these to ever see a return to power.
I am not so pessimistic about Tibet. We will eventually see some autonomy; as China becomes more stable and necessarily loosens it’s reigns. A consequence of prosperity let us say. Maybe not in my lifetime but definitely in my children’s.
October 11th, 2008 at 11:02 am
I’ve been involed with Students for a Free Tibet and other pro-Tibetan activist groups for several years. A huge part of the problem isn’t even so much about geographical territory- the Tibetans asking for freedom aren’t even arguing about taking any land away from the Chinese government as much as they are fighting to oppose the systematic genocide of Tibetan culture. The massive scale of oppression, torture, cultural decimation is heavily documented and proven. What the Tibetans want are the rights to self determination; to be free from torture or oppression; to have freedom of religion and from racial oppression. Things any basic human being deserves.
The arguments placed by the Anti-Freedom groups are mostly trite and never address the actual points; they revolve around bickering over countless times regions have exchanged powers over hundreds of years; it is no different (and as ridiculous) than trying to debate about the existence of the Manchu dynasty to justify Korean occupation in ancient China as a right for it to happen now.
The real issue is the active program of the Chinese government to eradicate the Tibetan people and culture- literally erase it- and the Tibetan Government in exile exists to try to protect those people, and their culture. Their struggle is as noble as any struggle for freedom in history, and I am glad to support them any way I can.
October 11th, 2008 at 12:25 pm
i feel learndidid
October 11th, 2008 at 12:49 pm
great list i hadnt heard of half of them.
October 11th, 2008 at 2:27 pm
interesting list
October 11th, 2008 at 5:58 pm
It must be a terible thing to be in exile. And know you’re not wanted. Kicked out like garbage. With no where to go.
October 11th, 2008 at 6:42 pm
Vera Lynn, we’ll talk.
October 11th, 2008 at 6:49 pm
segue (29) I hope we do. Very much.
October 11th, 2008 at 11:40 pm
Really nice educational and researched list MortimerB.
I also licked your comment segue.
I wish we had the minds of people like Thomas Jefferson around today. Actually we probably do but they probably wouldn’t waste their time with the politics of today.
October 12th, 2008 at 2:51 am
there is a faction called LTTE (Liberation Tamil Tigers Elam)which has a stranglehold on the Western part of Srilanka…They have a sizeable Tamil Population and want a separateTamil country…these guys bought in the concept of Suicide Bombing.. Rajiv Ghandi, an Indian Prime Ministe rwas assassinated by an LTTE Suicide Bomber.They have their own Navy and Airforce….. pretty scary actually…..
October 12th, 2008 at 10:00 am
It’s kind of weird how a couple of these exiles live or are based in the US.
October 12th, 2008 at 10:05 am
31. Blogball: Thank you.
October 12th, 2008 at 7:02 pm
Keep in mind the situation in Tibet is going to go badly for the Tibetans in the end. The Chinese are rapidly settling ethnic Han Chinese in Tibet, and Tibetans are now minorities in their own cities and will soon be a minority in Tibet itself.
This is the cultural genocide. What difference would it make it Tibet gains it’s independence in 20 years if the majority of the population then is Chinese and simply votes to rejoin China?
October 12th, 2008 at 8:11 pm
segue (29) How? Do you want my email?
October 13th, 2008 at 4:57 am
OH MY GOD!!! I can’t believe you put number 4!!! I’m so ANGRY right now!!! I loved this site until I read this!!! THIS WHOLE TEXT IS JUST A BIG LIE AND PEOPLE READING IT SHOULD KNOW THAT!!! You know, if you write about something you should first check if it is true!!! First of all, that was no civil war in Yugoslavia, but Serbian agression towards Croatia and everything that is Croatian! Serbian Krajina is a fascist creation with just one objective- to destroy everything Croatian!!! Shame on you MortimerB, I have no words to describe my anger!!!
October 13th, 2008 at 7:17 am
What about the Taliban? I was sure they’d be on the list.
October 13th, 2008 at 12:14 pm
The guys in #8 look like they’re meeting at my grandma’s house.
October 13th, 2008 at 2:29 pm
36. Vera Lynn : segue (29) How? Do you want my email?
****
Go through Jamie. I’ve already given him permission to give you my e.mail address should you request it.
October 13th, 2008 at 9:13 pm
segue (40)Thank you. I have done the same. I don’t know if I have his current email address. It seems to change quite often. However, I am glad for the trust you have placed in me. That alone, means a lot. More than you can know.I am forever in your debt.
October 14th, 2008 at 9:41 am
Vera Lynn, you’re welcome.
My trust is not easily earned, but there are several people on LV whom I do trust.
I’m sure we’ll talk soon.
October 14th, 2008 at 8:54 pm
segue: I know this. I will never violate that. I promise. It’s too important. Thank you.
October 14th, 2008 at 9:30 pm
segue: If JFrater won’t do this, just keep looking here.I’ve tried his posted email with no success. I’ll post my email. I don’t care who knows it. As long as it’s not my ex!
October 14th, 2008 at 10:13 pm
given some recent comments -
keep in mind if you want to post personal info in comments you do have other options. i would strongly recommend getting a free throwaway email addy to then exchange information offsite. or use our forums Private Messaging system. also..forums is a much better place to chat than via comments on mainsite. and i think the IRC channel is still active also.
never share personal information online you would not want the whole world knowing
and if you are going to go to the bother of doing so..then take a few extra minutes and safeguard yourself w/ the previous suggestions.
and remember..Listverse is about lists and comments w/ an additional offsite forum that is better suited to more personal interactions. (see the navbar for the link)
unless ya’ll want to start funding the changes needed to make this a real social networking site
lol…
October 15th, 2008 at 7:13 am
@#35. James
‘This is the cultural genocide. What difference would it make it Tibet gains it’s independence in 20 years if the majority of the population then is Chinese and simply votes to rejoin China?’
Check out my post previous, it explains the Tibetan stance. No one is advocating a break away nation. It amazes me that people know the Dalai Lama won the Nobel, but they don’t know one of the main reasons he won it was based on creating a plan for the Tibetans and Chinese to co-exist peacefully together- not kick the Chinese out or anything like that- that’s just Communist party progaganda (the same people calling the Dalai Lama a violent terrorist… sigh). It isn’t a fight for ‘independance’ but a struggle for freedom and autonomy. To achieve the protection and rights of freedom within Tibet of their culture and society. I hope that can kinda place it in a more understandable light.
October 15th, 2008 at 10:38 am
What’s with Maryland, US being a hub for exiled governments?! And by hub i mean…two
October 15th, 2008 at 10:58 am
Ruairi:
Rockville and Potomac MD are both right outside Washington DC.
October 16th, 2008 at 1:50 am
Dad should write a list about Iran. It would be so good. If only he knew English well enough.
damn.