Quasi-state entities and international criminal justice: legitimising narratives and counter-narratives

This text explores the intended and unintended impact of international criminal justice on the legitimacy of quasi-state entities.

In order to do so, the concept of 'quasi-state entity' is introduced to distinguish actors in statehood conflicts that aspire to statehood, and fulfil statehood functions to a greater or lesser degree, including the capacity and willingness to deploy armed force, but lack the status of sovereign statehood.