Abstract:
The Nigeria’s role in the maintenance of peace and stability in the African continent is great due to its Afrocentric policy. Nigeria has taken part in a numerous concflict resolution and peace-making processes in the continent. In fact, the country’s good largesse has cut across the African continent and beyond where the Nigerian peacekeepers had made the country proud in their efforts abroad when returning peace and stability back to the conflicts zones. However, while Nigeria has been making series of sacrifices both length, breath, left, right and centre, committing huge resources (both human and material resources) towards its peace maintenance in the continents particularly the African region, its home / domestic has been faced with series of havocs. These domestic problems ranging from poverty, insecurity, unemployment, malnutrition, ethno-religious crises and many other more had drawn the attention of scholars on the needs for Nigeria to be more rational in its big brother roles in Africa. Apart from that, the Nigeria’s big brother role in Africa has not been appreciated by the beneficiaries. Nigeria has often been paid back with ingratitude by African countries to which it had been a benefactor. These formed parts of the gap to be filled in this study. This study therefore employs historical and descriptive methodologies through the use of secondary data to assess the burden shouldered by Nigeria in its course for peace and stability in Africa through the concflict resolution role with little or no appreciation from the receivers.
CHAPTER ONE
Introduction
1.1 Background of study
The African continent is the most ethnically divided societies (Posner 2005). This is because the colonial enterprise created artificial states in Africa through joining together different groups. The colonial masters did nothing to create effective State institutions that will mediate the resulting conflicts between the groups which were forcefully merged together into fragile political entity (Nasongo’s 2015a). The colonialism had no plan for effective Statehood post-colonialism in Africa but only organizing the extraction of resources in the African continent and arrange for its transshipment to the colonial metropolises. As a result of these, African continent are confronted with what Nasongo’s (2015b) referred to as state building and nation building. In the course of nation / state building of African continent as mending tool to the fragile political institutions inherited from colonialism, violent conflicts emerged. This is what made many studies on Africa to conclude that postcolonial Africa has been the theater of some of the deadliest conflicts in the world (Nasongo’s 2015a).
The conflicts in Africa have greatly affected the continent which invariably attributed to some of the developmental backwardness in Africa. According to Nasongo’s (2015a), the scourges of war and conflict in Africa have impacted negatively on many African States. This is because many lives were lost, many were affected with diseases through malnutrition and some were forced to dislocate for safety of their lives (William 2016). This disintegration in African continent has caught the attentions of some concerned actors in the continent to rise up to the challenges on how best the menace could be curbed. One of such actors is Nigeria which its impact has been felt throughout the continents, particularly the African region on the need for peace and stability in Africa. Nigeria as an actor in the international community and a hegemon in the African continent has shouldered the responsibility of maintain peace in Africa. This exercise upheld by Nigeria towards maintaining peace has gulped huge amount of money bored by Nigeria and at the same time claimed numerous lives of the country’s human resources in the course of restoring peace and stability to the continent (Omaamaka & Groupson-Paul 2015).
In spite of the burden bored by Nigeria in its concflict resolution role in Africa, the country did not relent in its efforts and contribution to the development and stability in the continent. It is at this point that the study will examine the challenges faced by Nigeria in its concflict resolution and stability role in Africa. Hence, for the clarity of the study, there will be need for conceptual clarification of terms related to the discussion.
1.2 Statement of Problem
Nigeria's Role in Conflict Resolution in Africa between 1990 and 2000 represents a significant era in the continent's history, marked by widespread political instability, ethnic tensions, and armed conflicts. Despite Nigeria's historical commitment to peacekeeping and conflict resolution efforts, there remains a need to critically examine its effectiveness and impact during this turbulent period. This study seeks to address key questions surrounding Nigeria's role in conflict resolution in Africa during the 1990s, exploring the factors that influenced its engagement, the strategies employed, and the outcomes achieved.
1.3 Research Questions
1. What were the main drivers behind Nigeria's involvement in conflict resolution efforts in Africa during the 1990s?
2. What strategies did Nigeria employ to mediate and resolve conflicts in various African countries during this period?
3. What were the outcomes and impacts of Nigeria's conflict resolution initiatives in Africa between 1990 and 2000?
1.4 Research Objectives
1. To analyze the political, economic, and strategic motivations underlying Nigeria's engagement in conflict resolution efforts across Africa during the 1990s.
2. To examine the diplomatic, military, and humanitarian strategies employed by Nigeria to mediate and resolve conflicts in countries such as Liberia, Sierra Leone, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
3. To assess the effectiveness and long-term impacts of Nigeria's conflict resolution initiatives, including peacekeeping missions, diplomatic interventions, and regional peacebuilding efforts, on stability and security in Africa.
1.5 Significance of Study
This study holds significant implications for understanding Nigeria's role as a regional leader and peacekeeper in Africa during a critical period of political upheaval and armed conflict. By analyzing Nigeria's conflict resolution efforts in the 1990s, the study can shed light on the complex dynamics of interstate and intrastate conflicts in Africa and the role of regional actors in promoting peace and stability. Furthermore, the study's findings can inform current debates on conflict resolution strategies and contribute to the development of more effective and sustainable peacebuilding interventions in Africa and beyond.
Moreover, the study can provide valuable insights for policymakers, diplomats, and international organizations seeking to enhance their understanding of conflict dynamics in Africa and strengthen collaborative approaches to peacebuilding and conflict prevention. By identifying key lessons learned from Nigeria's experiences in conflict resolution, stakeholders can better leverage regional partnerships and diplomatic initiatives to address ongoing and emerging security challenges on the continent.
1.6 Scope and Limitations of Study
The scope of this study encompasses an analysis of Nigeria's conflict resolution efforts in Africa during the 1990s, focusing primarily on its involvement in peacekeeping missions, diplomatic negotiations, and regional peacebuilding initiatives. The study will examine key case studies, including Nigeria's interventions in Liberia, Sierra Leone, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, to assess the effectiveness and impacts of its conflict resolution strategies.
However, several limitations should be acknowledged, including the complexity of conflict dynamics in Africa, the diverse range of actors involved, and the inherent challenges of retrospective analysis. Additionally, the study may face limitations in accessing comprehensive and reliable data on Nigeria's conflict resolution activities and their outcomes. Furthermore, the study's findings may be subject to interpretation biases and the constraints of historical documentation, necessitating careful consideration and triangulation of evidence sources. Despite these limitations, the study aims to provide valuable insights into Nigeria's role in conflict resolution in Africa during a pivotal decade in the continent's history.
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