Coups, Regional Security Complexes and the Impact of Nigeria’s Peacekeeping in West Africa, 1960– 2022

doi: 10.32567/hm.2024.1.9

Abstract

Over the years, Africa has continued to experience conflicts caused by civil wars and the tussle for power through military coups. Despite having the Mediation & Security Council within ECOWAS, it has been unable to create sustainable peace within the region. The many porous borders between the countries further exacerbate the complexities of its regional security. The consequences of these problems usually affect neighbouring countries, thereby resulting in regional security complexes and the consequent challenges of peacekeeping operations. This paper uses historical, descriptive and comparative analysis by focusing on coups as precursors to security challenges in the region of West Africa and the resulting peacekeeping operations by countries such as Nigeria. Based on the premise of ECOWAS, it introduces some conflicts caused by coups; the challenges of Regional Security Complex in West Africa and the examination of Nigerian Peacekeeping efforts. Furthermore, it offers some recommendations towards sustainable regional peace. Results show that there is a need for the African Union (AU) to do more to secure the continent. Reliance on non-African countries to support its internal security problems has become counterproductive. It recommends that Nigeria should temporarily suspend its peacekeeping operations and channel its resources towards addressing its internal security challenges; that the AU must establish a standing army as a quick response force to address the various continental crises before they become exponential threats and that ECOWAS should implement its common currency plan. Finally, the African Union must develop best practices that can alleviate poverty and guarantee security in line with the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Keywords:

Nigeria ECOWAS security complex peacekeeping region

How to Cite

Frederick Omoyama, O. (2024). Coups, Regional Security Complexes and the Impact of Nigeria’s Peacekeeping in West Africa, 1960– 2022. Military Engineer, 19(1), 177–195. https://doi.org/10.32567/hm.2024.1.9

References

ADEBAJO, Adekeye (2021): The Dog That Did Not Bark: Why Has Sierra Leone Not Returned to War After Peacekeepers Left? In MCNAMEE, Terence – MUYANGWA, Monde (eds.): The State of Peacebuilding in Africa. Cham: Palgrave Macmillan, 343–361. Online: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-46636-7_19

African Union (2014): Press statement of the 432nd meeting of the PSC on ‘Unconstitutional changes of Governments and popular uprisings in Africa’. 29 April 2014. Online: https://www.peaceau.org/en/article/press-statement-of-the-432nd-meeting-on-unconstitutional-changes-of-governments-and-popular-uprisings-in-africa

African Union suspends Gabon’s membership after military coup. Al Jazeera, 31 August 2023. Online: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/8/31/african-union-meets-on-gabon-situation-after-military-coup

American University (2017): ICE Case Studies. The Biafran War. 14 February 2017. Online: https://web.archive.org/web/20170214103207/http://www1.american.edu/ted/ice/biafra.htm

Amnesty International: Nigeria 2022. Amnesty.org, https://www.amnesty.org/en/location/africa/west-and-central-africa/nigeria/report-nigeria/

ANING, Kwesi (2021): Cote d’Ivoire. Journal of International Peacekeeping, 24(3–4), 336–366. Online: https://doi.org/10.1163/18754112-24030004

ASADU, Chinedu (2021): Gunmen Kidnap 73 Students in Latest Attack on Nigeria School. AP News, 1 September 2021. Online: https://apnews.com/article/africa-education-nigeria-9408a6c2d1895d1a465cc3045c004cbd

BERTSCH, Gary K. – CLARK, Robert P. – WOOD, David M. (1978): Comparing Political Systems. Power and Policy in Three Worlds. New York: Wiley.

Britannica, T. Editors of Encyclopaedia (2024): Laurent Kabila. Encyclopedia Britannica, 25 April, 2024. Online: https://www.britannica.com/biography/Laurent-Kabila

Business Day (2014): Nigeria’s porous borders, 28 April 2014. Online: https://businessday.ng/editorial/article/nigerias-porous-borders/

Business Day (2020): Nigeria re-elected UN Peacekeeping Committee chair. 7 March 2020. Online: https://businessday.ng/uncategorized/article/nigeria-re-elected-un-peacekeeping-committee-chair/

BUZAN, Barry – WÆVER, Ole (2003): Patterns of Regional Security post-Cold War. In Regions and Powers: The Structure of International Security. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, xxvi–xxvi. Online: https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511491252.003

BUZAN, Barry – WÆVER, Ole (2003): Regions and Powers: The Structure of International Society. Cambridge: The Press Syndicate of the University of Cambridge. Online: https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511491252

BUZAN, Barry – WÆVER, Ole – DE WILDE, Jaap (1998): Security: A New Framework for Analysis. Boulder, Colo.: Lynne Rienner. Online: https://doi.org/10.1515/9781685853808

CLAPHAM, Christopher (1996): Africa and the International System: The Politics of State Survival. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Cameroon’s President Biya reshuffles top military brass. TRT Afrika, 31 August 2023. Online: https://www.trtafrika.com/africa/cameroons-president-biya-reshuffles-top-military-brass-14757982

COLLINS, Alan ed. (2016): Contemporary Security Studies (4th ed.). Oxford: Oxford University Press.

DIALLO, Tiemoko – ROSS, Aaron (2020): U.S. Halts Military Cooperation with Mali as Coup Supporters Celebrate. Reuters, 21 August, 2020. Online: https://www.reuters.com/article/mali-security-idINKBN25H1A9/

DUNNE, Tim – SCHMIDT, Brian (2001): Realism. In BAYLIS, John – SMITH, Steve (eds.): The Globalization of World Politics: An Introduction to International Relations. New York: Oxford University Press.

DUZOR, Megan – WILLIAMSON, Brian (2023): Coups in Africa. Voice of America News, 3 October 2023. Online: https://projects.voanews.com/african-coups/

EROMOSELE, Fortune (2022): Insecurity: 6,895 persons killed in 2021 – Report. Vanguard, 27 May 2022. Online: https://www.vanguardngr.com/2022/05/insecurity-6895-persons-killed-in-2021-report/

History (2018): Former Liberian president Charles Taylor found guilty of war crimes. 18 May 2018. Online: https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/former-liberian-president-charles-taylor-found-guilty-of-war-crimes

Human Rights Watch (1997): Nigeria’s Intervention in Sierra Leone. Online: https://www.hrw.org/reports/1997/nigeria/Nigeria-09.htm#P602_157494

Insecurity: 63,111 Persons Killed in Buhari’s Eight Years (2023). Vanguard, 20 May 2023. Online: https://www.vanguardngr.com/2023/05/insecurity-63111-persons-killed-in-buharis-eight-years/#:~:text=A%20new%

ISILOW, Hassan (2023): Chains of Colonialism. Western Powers in Africa vying for Control, Geopolitical Edge. Anadolu Agency, 27 July 2023. Online: https://www.aa.com.tr/en/africa/-chains-of-colonialism-western-powers-in-africa-vying-for-control-geopolitical-edge/2956190

JOWETT, Philip (2016). Modern African Wars. The Nigerian-Biafran War 1967–70. Oxford: Osprey.

MOLNÁR, D. (2008): ECOMOG: The Example of a Viable Solution for African Conflicts. AARMS – Academic and Applied Research in Military and Public Management Science, 7:1 55–61.

MOLNÁR, D. (2009): Charles Taylor’s Trial: It has Started. AARMS – Academic and Applied Research in Military and Public Management Science, 8(1), 83–89.

OMOTUYI, Sunday (2021): Reassessing the Power of a Sub-Regional Security Provider: The Case of Nigeria in the Gambian Crisis. The African Review, 48(2), 359–380. Online: https://doi.org/10.1163/1821889X-12340056

Nigeria Police Force n.d. Peacekeeping office. Online: https://www.npf.gov.ng/info/peace_keeping.php

NUGENT, Paul (2009): Nkrumah and Rawlings: Political Lives in Parallel? Transactions of the Historical Society of Ghana, (12), 35–56.

NUHU, Salome (2019): All Africans Travelling to Nigeria Can Get Visa on Arrival from 2019 – Official. Premium Times, 11 December 2019. https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/headlines/367865-all-africans-travelling-to-nigeria-can-get-visa-on-arrival-from-2019-official.html

Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, (n.d): Foreign Policy. Online: https://foreignaffairs.gov.ng/about-us/foreign-policy/

OGUNDIPE, Samuel (2018): Buhari blames Gaddafi for killings across Nigeria. Premium Times, 12 April 2018. Online: https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/top-news/264764-buhari-blames-gaddafi-for-killings-across-nigeria.html

PALMISANO, Laura – MOMODU, Sulaiman (2013): UNHCR Completes Repatriation of 155,000 Liberians. unhcr.org, 4 January 2013. Online: https://www.unhcr.org/news/stories/unhcr-completes-repatriation-155000-liberians

POWELL, Jonathan M. – THYNE, Clayton L. (2011): Global Instances of Coups from 1950 to 2010: A new Dataset. Journal of Peace Research, 48(2), 249–259. Online: https://doi.org/10.1177/0022343310397436

Punch (2023): Nigeria spent $8bn to restore peace in Liberia, says Irabor. 24 May 2023. Online: https://punchng.com/nigeria-spent-8bn-to-restore-peace-in-liberia-says-irabor/

Reuters (2023): Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso Sign Sahel Security Pact. 16 September 2023. Online: https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/mali-niger-burkina-faso-sign-sahel-security-pact-2023-09-16

Rwanda’s Kagame Fires Slew of Military Officials in Big Shake-Up. Al Jazeera, 7 June 2023. Online: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/6/7/rwandas-kagame-fires-slew-of-military-officials-in-major-shakeup

Sahara Reporters (2023): ECOWAS Imposes ‘Stiff’ Sanctions Against Niger Republic, Coup Leaders And Families. 30 July 2023. Online: https://saharareporters.com/2023/07/30/ecowas-imposes-stiff-sanctions-against-niger-republic-coup-leaders-and-families

Twenty-first conference of heads of states, Decision A/DEC.5/10/98 Relating to the regulations on Transhumance between ECOWAS Member States (1998). ECOWAS Official Journal, 35, 1–14. Online: https://www.ecpf.ecowas.int/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Decision-1998-English.pdf

UCHE, Chibuike (2008): Oil, British Interests and the Nigerian Civil War. The Journal of African History, 49(1), 111–135. Online: https://doi.org/10.1017/S0021853708003393

UNICEF (2022): Global Annual Results Report 2022. Online: https://www.unicef.org/media/142921/file/Global%20annual%20results%20report%202022:%20Goal%20area%202.pdf

UN Nigeria (2023): We salute Nigerian UN Peacekeepers, past and present – Schmale. 30 May 2023. Online: https://nigeria.un.org/en/234801-we-salute-nigerian-un-peacekeepers-past-and-present

War in Ukraine: What Does the Death Toll Mean? Arolsen Archives, 6 October, 2022. Online: https://arolsen-archives.org/en/news/war-in-ukraine-what-does-the-death-toll-mean/

War Crimes Court Finds Charles Taylor Guilty (2012). Al Jazeera, 27 April 2012. Online: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2012/4/27/war-crimes-court-finds-charles-taylor-guilty#:~:text=According