Youth and Ethnic Movements and Their Impacts on Party Politics in ECOWAS Member States

Abstract

Although they historically played a pivotal role in the fight against colonial rule-as they have in recent attempts to entrench multiparty democratic processes-the role of youth in political parties in West Africa has received less than commensurate attention in studies on democratization. Unlike in advanced democracies where parties are key agents of political socialization and leadership, parties in West Africa are built on ethno-religious foundations. A peculiar character of highly marginalized youth thus becomes inevitable, both in politics and decision-making processes of the state. To assert themselves, the youth have also become agents of destabilization of the democracy they partook to build. Apart from their involvement in political violence, youths are now available as unconscientious "foot soldiers" of ethnic militias and terrorist groups that are constituting increased social problems in West Africa. In this article, we examine how parties and youth have interacted to define the emergence and character of threat to the nascent democracies in contemporary West Africa. The article interrogates how the notions of "youth" and "political participation" have continued to play out in different West African countries within the context of the opportunities and challenges of Africa's youth bulge on the democratization process. The article observes that the marginalization of West African youths has been part and parcel of history only that their situation has further raised the stake as agent of social disorder in the absence of positive engagement in the recent times.

The Role of ECOWAS on Economic Governance, Peace and Security Perspectives in West Africa

“…In the case of Nigeria, Dike (2014) and Olaiaya (2014) observed that, the youths who are involved in the activities of the Boko Haram militancy against the Nigerian government do so as a result of unemployment, some as a result of illiteracy and driven by poverty, they find themselves engaging in the Boko Haram activities such as bombing of private and public facilities and killing of innocent lives. Thus, it is the responsibility of the West African states to focus on good governance in order to improve on the social conditions of their people and citizenry.…”

“…Lindberg (2001) argued that, trade can be seen as a main function of states which can be conducted by the private sector in negotiation with the state; it is then expected of the state to provide the needed strategies that would enhance economic governance towards services that can be provided to the people as well as public governance leading to the security of the people. Issues such as unemployment, poverty, illiteracy, as well as poor governance are the main challenges that may lead to youth's engagement in activities such as militancy and insurgency against the government of a given state like in the case of Nigeria, Mali, Niger, and Liberia (Dike, 2014;Olaiaya, 2014;Yusuf, 2013;Aghedo, 2012;Salaam, 2012;Jackson, 2007).…”

The Implementation of Peace and Security Programme initiative in Nigeria: The Role of NEPAD

“…For African countries to succeed or move forward an environment free of insecurity remains the first goal and that is the reason NEPAD has outlined her set goals where the said subject is listed first among other priorities (NEPAD, 2005).…”

“…In achieving this goal, NEPAD partners with the Federal Ministries, Departments and Agencies at the national level on how best issues relating to insecurity challenges can be resolved, other stakeholders of NEPAD includes the integration of the State and Local Governments, the Civil Society Organizations, the Private Sector, and as well as the international community to engage in strategies that would lead to conflict prevention, conflict management and resolution (NEPAD, 2001;NEPAD Nigeria, 2010 andNEPAD Nigeria, 2015). It is very important then to understand that without peace and security, the NEPAD objectives of partnering with other countries within and outside Africa becomes very difficult, and that is the major focus of this paper which is to proffer solutions to the issues that are presently facing Nigeria as a State in Africa, considering the insecurity challenges posed by the Boko Haram militants since 2009.…”

“…In view of the fact that poverty is to be eradicated in Africa, there are certain issues that would be considered as well, which then forms the objectives of NEPAD programme as a policy document and framework. NEPAD therefore, seeks to integrate with the public sector, the private sector, civil society, the countries within and outside Africa, international organizations as well as the multinational companies in achieving her set goals and objectives (NEPAD, 2005).…”