Amos Ojo Adedeji, PhD
Peace and Development Studies, Centre for Peace and Strategic Studies, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria
Email: amos_peace61@yahoo.com; adedejiamosojo1970@gmail.com
Abstract
Nigeria has remained a firm believer of peace and security in Africa as stipulated in her foreign policy statement. The massive resources that succeeding governments have committed to achieving this crucial goal serve as evidence. The primary task of this study was to interrogate the role of Nigeria in the maintenance of peace and security in Africa with special reference to Darfur peace efforts. The work employed a quantitative method of data collection and analysis. The paper found that Nigeria‘s contribution to the resolution of the crisis in Darfur is noteworthy and has been recorded as a significant success. However, the success was challenged by a number of threats such as budgetary constraints, unclear mandate of the mission, lack of adequate mediation mechanism by the African Union, and lack of proper demobilisation of government and rebel militias respectively. The paper concluded by recommending an adequate and appropriate provision of fund, clear mandate statement and reactivation and strengthening of AU mediation mechanism. An unconditional and complete disarmament of rebel militias is also crucial.
Keywords: African Union, Conflict, Foreign Policy, National Interest, Peace, Security
Introduction
Africa has remained the centrepiece of Nigeria‘s foreign policy since its independence in 1960 as demonstrated in the immense material and human resources the successive Nigerian administrations committed in the pursuant of this prime foreign policy objective through its unrelenting efforts of conflict resolution (Adedeji, 2023). Nigeria‘s role in conflict management ensured the establishment of Economic Community of West Africa (ECOWAS) in May 1975 for the management of inter-state relations in the sub-region. Nigeria has been at the forefront of the promotion of peace and security on the African continent. It is on record that Nigeria pressed for the dismantling and resolution of apartheid and conflict that immersed South Africa and Liberia