This article, using a diachronic approach, advances the argument that a genuine national cohesion and the future of the Nigerian state cannot be fully guaranteed in the clear absence of addressing the inherent structural defects of the country's malfunctioning federalism. The Nigerian post-colony is, presently, confronted by the challenges pose by ethnicity/ethnic nationalism with negative consequences of political ethnicity, ethnic conflicts, etc. It is argued that the entrenchment of plural democracy has the capacity to address the lopsided policies of the central state that are at the peril of the weakening federating states and most importantly, the oil-bearing ethnic minorities of Nigeria's Niger Delta. In addendum, the article argues and demonstrates that democracy in the real sense of it has the potency of democratising the Nigerian nation-state; strengthening of mediatory and regulatory institutions; promoting intra-and inter-ethnic relations, etc. The agitations and activities of the oil-bearing ethnicities and various ethnic social movements of the Nigeria's Fourth Republic for autonomy and social justice were used to buttress this article basic arguments and concludes with the government's efforts in addressing Africa's most populous country's multilayered ethnic problems.
This article examined the African Mission in Burundi (AMIB), assessed its success and drew lessons learned from the experience. The author argued that the mission was successful in restoring peace and stability in Burundi, although the disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration (DDR) component of its mission was not achieved. The willingness of the African Union (AU) to send a peacekeeping mission as a stabilizing force within an ongoing conflict shows that the organization is serious about tackling security issues on the continent. In spite of AU’s endeavours, the article establishes that the AU is being challenged by what is called the ‘triangular area of tension in African peacekeeping (AU’s ambitions versus AU’s peacekeeping capacities versus member states’ political will and agendas). The article concludes with a reflection on lessons learnt from AMIB as a prelude to addressing this area of tension for better future peacekeeping performances in Africa.
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