Category: AfSol Publication

‘The Ambivalence of the Sacred’: Religion and Mediation in Northern Nigeria, 2000-2005

‘The Ambivalence of the Sacred’: Religion and Mediation in Northern Nigeria, 2000-2005

Posted by | Apr 20, 2020 |

It is generally believed that the position, influence and commitment arising from the moral and emotional credentials of religious actors serve as advantages over other actors when it comes to third party intervention, particularly in the realm of mediation. The question then becomes to what extent can these qualities promote successful mediation i.e. conflict transformation, which is the ultimate goal of mediation efforts during conflict. This study is a qualitative analysis of the levels of success achieved by faith-based mediation in three outstanding conflicts – the Yelwa, the Jos and the Kaduna conflicts in Plateau and Kaduna States of Nigeria between 2001 and 2005. This analysis is anchored on the three levels of success, namely process or output level, outcome or short-term level, and impact or long-term level. The position, influence and experience of mediators, as well as other factors such as timing, neutrality, external influence and the process of mediation are some of the explanations for the potential success or failure of mediation efforts at the output level and short-term level in the three conflicts. However, beyond these two, mediation’s success at the level of long-term impact, as recorded in Yelwa, is tied to (i) the engagement of the real owners of the conflict and peace dynamics and (ii) the willingness of the latter to engage in peace. It is therefore the position of this paper that no matter the influence, appropriateness and acceptability of a religious actor involved in conflict resolution, the responsibility to transform conflict largely remains with the parties to the conflict.

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Child Of Necessity: (AB)Uses Of T he Civilian Joint Task Force In Borno State, Nigeria

Child Of Necessity: (AB)Uses Of T he Civilian Joint Task Force In Borno State, Nigeria

Posted by | Apr 7, 2019 |

Non-state armed groups (NSAGs) have become key actors in the provision of security and safety in communities in Africa. One of the NSAGs created to provide safety and security in the war-ravaged North Eastern Nigeria is the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF). This paper critical examines uses and abuses of the NSAG in Borno State. Based on data collected through online and print newspapers, interviews and other secondary sources, the study shows that the formation of the CJTF in Borno State has helped to curtail military attacks on innocent civilians and also assisted in decimating Boko Haram. However, activities of the group since its creation in 2013 have been accompanied with human rights abuses of residents, use of position as members of CJTF to witch-hunt opponents, serving as informants to Boko Haram and subject to elites manipulation especially politicians and military. The study also held that rebuilding Borno State and entire Northeastern Nigeria where Boko Haram insurgency has been on for almost a decade now should incorporate demobilisation and reintegration of members of CJTF into normal life to prevent the possibility of the group developing into new security threat after Boko Haram.

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Rethinking Ethiopia’s Relations with the Arab League

Rethinking Ethiopia’s Relations with the Arab League

Posted by | Apr 7, 2019 |

By drawing upon concepts extracted from the IR school of neoliberal institutionalism and Regional Security Complex Theory (RSCT), this article argues that the Arab League (AL) could create a platform for Ethiopia to address its multiple political economy and security concerns with most of its neighbours. The article analyzed the primary data collected from the Ethiopian diplomatic circle and explored the potential areas of cooperation and challenges between Ethiopia and the AL. It finds out that there are multiple issues the AL discuss that concerns Ethiopia and the potential for future Ethiopian involvement is recognized; however, there is a fear from Ethiopian side that Egypt would not allow Ethiopia’s membership in the AL. At a domestic level, the Ethiopian foreign policy tradition will thwart to encourage the Ethiopian aspiration to join the Arab League as an Observer member state.

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African Union ‘Robust’ Peace Support Operations: Rules of Engagement and Attribution of Conduct

African Union ‘Robust’ Peace Support Operations: Rules of Engagement and Attribution of Conduct

Posted by | Apr 7, 2019 |

The development of ‘robust’ peace support operations in the framework of the African Union is a complex process that revolves around two primary propositions. Firstly, the consent of the host State, factor of the initial legality of the missions. Secondly, the use of force determined by the commanding authority, which ensures the continuance of the legality in terms of respect of the rules of international law.

The participation of the African organization and the States that contribute with their military contingents makes the establishment of the command and control authority over the operation, and the related operational documents, a crucial passage. In this context, there is an operative document of utmost importance for the outcome of the missions, the rules of engagement. As combination between political, legal and military considerations, their construction contributes to the compliance with international law, in particular international humanitarian law.

If and when a potential violation occurs, the assessment of the responsibility of the international organizations and the participant States have to start from the determination of the attributability of the impugned conducts, on the basis of the ‘effective control’ test. And it is at this stage that the rules of engagement become decisive factors, due to their connection with the command and control structure of the missions.

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Terrorism In West Africa: An Introductory Essay

Terrorism In West Africa: An Introductory Essay

Posted by | Apr 7, 2019 |

Etymologically, the term terrorism lays the word terror. Terror comes from the Latin word “terrere”, which means “frighten” or “tremble”. When liaised with the French suffix “isme” (referencing “to practice”), it becomes akin to “practicing the trembling” or “causing the frightening.” (Mitusitz, 2015). Trembling and frightening are similar to fear, panic, and anxiety – what we would naturally refer to as “terror”. The origin of the word “terror” is over 2,100 years old. In ancient Rome, the terror Cimbricus era was a state of panic and emergency in response to the coming of the Cimbri tribe killers in 105 BCE. From this standpoint, the word terrorism was coined during the French Revolution’s Reign of Terror in (1793-1794). In this work, four (4) out of eight (8) terrorists organizations operating in West Africa are discussed. This study further examines their origins, development, the extent of their networks and inter-linkages with the global terror networks. Also their methods of operations (modus operandi) and sponsorship have been discussed. All these thematic areas will enable us understand the activities of terrorists and their organizations, as well as consciously prepare us adequately to counteract their actions before they strike. More so, apart from awareness and sensitization of West African States nationals, the study helps international counter-terrorism efforts to deal with the challenge or menace of global terrorism.

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