Category: AfSol Publication

Fulani Mobile Herdsmen and the Risk of Political Violence in Edo and Delta States of Nigeria

Fulani Mobile Herdsmen and the Risk of Political Violence in Edo and Delta States of Nigeria

Posted by | Apr 5, 2019 |

The article examines the nature, causes, effects and implications of the conflict between Fulani mobile herdsmen and farmers in Edo and Delta States of Nigeria in the face of shrinking resources, and escalating levels of violence. It is noted that if unchecked, these sporadic clashes between groups seeking livelihood security can degenerate into an identity conflict, given the distinctive ways in which the political and religious identities of the two groups are constructed. The paper ends with recommendations on possible ways for resolving the conflict between pastoralists and farmers in the two states of Nigeria.

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State Policing in Nigeria: A Response to Emerging Trajectories of Conflict and Crime?

State Policing in Nigeria: A Response to Emerging Trajectories of Conflict and Crime?

Posted by | Apr 5, 2019 |

This article argues that the current policing system in Nigeria is highly influenced by the character of the State which has led to a security system that is tailored along patron-client lines. It identifies the challenges hindering the effectiveness of the current security system and calls for the introduction of a policing system where each federating state will be allowed to create and structure its own state police to complement the existing federal police. The article recommends that policing powers be jurisdictionally divided between the federal and state police. It concludes that the introduction of a flexible state policing system will provide and ensure peace and safety, provided that politicians demonstrate the political will and commitment necessary to effectively operate the system as prescribed by the law. In addition, all efforts should be made to avoid using the state police as an instrument for intimidating members of the opposition.

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The Internationalization of the Coup in Burkina Faso

The Internationalization of the Coup in Burkina Faso

Posted by | Apr 5, 2019 |

The article explores the political issues in the September 2015 military coup in Burkina Faso that was led by General Gilbert Diendere. Coming only a few weeks prior to a much-anticipated general election the coup plotters dissolved the transitional government that had been in place since the unexpected resignation of Blaise Compaore in October 2014. This article takes a retrospective view of the Burkinabe coup, and analyzes how it was precipitated by lingering political and economic crisis following President Compaore’s 27 years rule. It concludes, by way of alternative futures, that the only way to prevent coups is for African leaders to promote and strengthen democracy and pursue people-friendly socio-economic policies within the framework of good governance, accountability and transparency.

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Regional Intervention in Fragile African States: Comparative Case Studies of South Sudan and Lesotho: Any Lessons Learnt?

Regional Intervention in Fragile African States: Comparative Case Studies of South Sudan and Lesotho: Any Lessons Learnt?

Posted by | Apr 2, 2019 |

African conflicts have continued to be protracted and unresponsive, frustrating conventional interventions. Consequently, the concept of African Solutions for African-Centred Solutions (AfSol) has increasingly become the default alternative. To this end, politico-military crises in South Sudan and Lesotho in 2014 and the interventions by IGAD and SADC respectively, have shown remarkable similarities. South Sudan, saddled with an unclear leadership succession as the country approached the scheduled 2015 national election, the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) National Liberation Council convention of December 2013 became a battleground that dragged the country into civil war. Curiously, the same happened in Lesotho when the country was faced with a vote-of-no-confidence in June 2014 and Prime Minister Thomas Thabane dismissed key government officials, prorogued the parliament and removed the Army Commander plunging the country into civil war. When each of the fragile states reached this stage, the sub-regional economic and security organisations (RECs) of IGAD and SADC, respectively, intervened. This paper assesses the implications and impact of those interventions, under the rubric of AfSol in order to discover any lesson learnt. Findings of this case study reveal that the philosophy of AfSol is a possible tool of intervention that could also be extrapolated to other conflict scenarios elsewhere on the African continent.

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