Advocating for rebellion – Rebel diplomacy and international advocacy in the Bougainville Crisis

Solidarity movements, pressure groups, or support networks can be observed in most disputes about territory, sovereignty, and secession. Yet, international advocacy remains an under-researched aspect of secessionist conflict. What is the function of non-state support for secessionist rebellion? Drawing on archival and original data, I investigate the interactions between the Bougainville Revolutionary Army and its international support network. The analysis finds that secessionist rebels seek non-state assistance to compensate for their lack of state patronage and obtain various benefits. Fusing rebel diplomacy with transnational advocacy offers an innovative perspective on the international interactions of secessionist groups.