1/7/2023 0 Comments Conflict and strife rank 2Stability in the sub-region remains brittle and the possibility of a resurgence of seemingly endedĬonflicts is high. Monitoring Group (ECOMOG) ( Jaye et al 2011: 1–7).ĭespite these efforts which have achieved some appreciable success, the cradle of peace and Liberia and Sierra Leone in 19 respectively through the deployment of the ECOWAS International Community have taken measures to resolve and end violent conflicts in the sub-region.Įxamples can be cited of ECOWAS’ timely response to the violent civil wars that erupted in Nevertheless, over the years, states, the ECOWAS, Civil Society groups and the Was set up to build economic integration ( Jaye et al 2011:ġ–7). Particular for a number ofĪctors including the sub-regional bloc, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) which This is possibly attributed to the sudden shift from inter-state to intra-state conflicts thatĬharacterized most part of the late 1980s through to the 21 st century posing a newĬhallenge of intra-state peace consolidation and conflict prevention. Natural resources and banditry’ ( Afolabi 2009: 25).Įnding violent conflicts in West Africa remains one of the main challenges of the sub-region. Proliferation of small arms and light weapons, human and drug trafficking, illegal exploitation of The internal displacement of people, a region-wide refugee crisis, poverty and disease, the These conflicts have resulted in the ‘destruction of lives and property, More critical toĪdd is the low intensity conflicts surging within notably stable countries such as the CasamanceĬonflict in Senegal, the intermittent Dagbon chieftaincy crisis in Ghana and the Niger DeltaĬonflict in Nigeria to name a few ( Olonisakin 2011:ġ1–26). Signals of the possible re-surfacing of internal and regional violent conflicts. The Sahel region affecting the West African countries of Mali, Niger and Mauritania sends alarming While violent conflicts are declining in the sub-region, recent insurgencies in In which violence and incessant killings were prevalent ( AfolabiĢ009: 24). Sierra Leone, Côte d’Ivoire and Guinea-Bissau were crippled by conflicts and civil strife Although conflicts are not always violent, those that have plagued WestĪfrica at community, state and regional levels have been characterized by violence ( Afisi 2009: 59–66). Result, the sub-region’s security environment has often been viewed as one that continues toīe precarious and unstable. The transformation from inter-state to intra-state conflict from the latter part of theĢ0 th Century in West Africa brought a number of its economies to near collapse. This paper posits that the poor understanding of the fundamental causes of West Africa’s violent conflicts and civil strife would likely cause the sub-region to continue experiencing and suffering the brunt of these violent wars. Although many actors including the ECOWAS, civil society and international community have been making efforts, conflicts continue to persist in the sub-region and their resolution is often protracted. These conflicts are often hinged on several factors including poverty, human rights violations, bad governance and corruption, ethnic marginalization and small arms proliferation. While violent conflicts are declining in the sub-region, recent insurgencies in the Sahel region affecting the West African countries of Mali, Niger and Mauritania and low intensity conflicts surging within notably stable countries such as Ghana, Nigeria and Senegal sends alarming signals of the possible re-surfacing of internal and regional violent conflicts. For decades, countries such as Liberia, Sierra Leone, Côte d’Ivoire and Guinea- Bissau were crippled by conflicts and civil strife in which violence and incessant killings were prevalent. The advent of intra-state conflicts or ‘new wars’ in West Africa has brought many of its economies to the brink of collapse, creating humanitarian casualties and concerns.
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