The current global security consciousness, terrorist acts and threats have been worsened by unending national and regional conflicts. We are at a crossroad to ascertain the justifications of these conflicts and the role that countries play either to restore peace or to exacerbate the crises.
The main aim of this paper is to introduce the activities of Nigeria at peacekeeping, peace building and peace enforcement across and within her national borders. The research is intended to be assessed on the background of global norms. The result of the review is to examine the gaps and challenges in order to proffer subsequent recommendations for improvement.
This research has become necessary for two reasons. Firstly, the seemingly unending conflicts has led to continuing insecurity, fear, suspicion, wanton destruction of lives, properties and refugee outflow. Therefore, this research is set to pursue the basic goal of the United Nations which is ’to promote international cooperation and to achieve peace and security.’
Secondly, Nigeria as a subject matter, is in tandem with her enviable position and role in peacekeeping since 1960. Furthermore, apart from the fact that Nigeria is respected among the comity of nations; she is one of the largest African countries in terms of population and natural resources, commanding a huge economic value chain within and outside Africa.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Saint Thomas Aquinas
Objectives and Topics
This paper aims to analyze Nigeria's contributions to peacekeeping, peacebuilding, and peace enforcement operations since 1960, evaluating them within the framework of global norms to identify operational challenges and potential areas for improvement.
- Historical overview of Nigeria's involvement in international peacekeeping missions.
- Evaluation of "Just War" theory through the perspectives of the Salamanca School and Saint Thomas Aquinas.
- Examination of the concept of "Bad Peace" and its implications in post-conflict scenarios.
- Case studies of conflict resolution and peace enforcement, including internal Nigerian crises and international interventions.
- Assessment of the legal and ethical foundations of military interventions and peace maintenance.
Excerpt from the Book
Saint Thomas Aquinas
Thomas Aquinas (1225–1274) conditions for Just Wars are as follows:
First, just war must be waged by a properly instituted authority such as the state. (Proper Authority is first: represents the common good: which is peace for the sake of man's true end—God.)
Second, war must occur for a good and just purpose rather than for self-gain (for example, "in the nation's interest" is not just) or as an exercise of power (just cause: for the sake of restoring some good that has been denied. i.e. lost territory, lost goods, punishment for an evil perpetrated by a government, army, or even the civilian populace).
Third, peace must be a central motive even in the midst of violence. (right intention: an authority must fight for the just reasons it has expressly claimed for declaring war in the first place. Soldiers must also fight for this intention).
The thrust underlining wars as ’just’ lies in the postulation that war, while terrible, is not always the worst option. Important responsibilities, undesirable outcomes, or preventable atrocities may justify war.
The notion of Just War is as old as man. Research by Rory has shown that "demonstrating that just war thought developed beyond the boundaries of Europe and existed many centuries earlier than the advent of Christianity or even the emergence of Greco-Roman doctrine.
Peace as a concept is vague and relative. Galtung (1967) defines the concept of „peace as a synonym for stability or equilibrium. This conception of peace also refers to internal states of a human being, the person who is at peace with himself. It also covers the "law and order" concept, in other words the idea of a predictable social order even if this order is brought about by means of force and the threat of force.”
Summary of Chapters
Introduction: This chapter provides an overview of Nigeria's long-standing role in international peacekeeping since gaining independence in 1960 and outlines the foundational legal framework of the UN charter regarding peace operations.
Saint Thomas Aquinas: This chapter examines the ethical conditions for "Just War" as defined by Aquinas and explores the concept of "Bad Peace" as a consequence of failed post-conflict stability efforts.
Keywords
Peacekeeping, Nigeria, Just War, Bad Peace, Saint Thomas Aquinas, Conflict Resolution, Peace Enforcement, International Relations, Sovereignty, ECOMOG, United Nations, Humanitarian Intervention, Security, Military Ethics, Crisis Management.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this research paper?
The paper fundamentally explores the intersection of Nigeria's history in peacekeeping operations and the theoretical application of Just War doctrines in modern conflict resolution.
What are the central thematic fields covered?
The study covers military ethics, international law, the efficacy of UN-mandated operations, and the sociological definition of peace in the context of state sovereignty.
What is the primary objective of this work?
The objective is to analyze Nigerian peacekeeping activities against global norms to proffer recommendations for better conflict resolution and to highlight the risks of "Bad Peace."
Which scientific methods are utilized?
The author utilizes a qualitative research approach, incorporating historical analysis, theoretical review of philosophical doctrines (Aquinas/Salamanca School), and case study assessments of regional conflicts.
What topics are discussed in the main body?
The main body covers the principles of peacekeeping, the history of Nigerian military interventions, legal bases for war, and specific regional conflicts like the civil wars in Nigeria and Liberia.
Which keywords characterize this work?
Key terms include Peacekeeping, Just War, Nigeria, Conflict Resolution, Bad Peace, and International Security.
How does the author define "Bad Peace"?
The author defines "Bad Peace" as a situation where conflict intervention fails to establish sustainable peace, often resulting in renewed violence, social instability, and humanitarian crisis.
How does the paper relate Nigerian history to international doctrines?
It contextualizes internal Nigerian crises and peace initiatives within the broader framework of the Just War tradition to determine if such actions meet the moral and legal requirements for legitimate intervention.
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- Frederick Omoyoma Odorige (Autor:in), 2017, Introduction to the Approaches of Just Wars and Bad Peace, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/385917
