1st Edition

The Politics of Post-War Demobilisation and Reintegration in Nigeria

By Olukunle Ojeleye Copyright 2010

    With an increasing international interest in post civil war demobilisation and reintegration, especially in Africa, Ojeleye presents a well timed body of knowledge on the Nigerian civil war. Moreover, this book provides an in-depth study of the modalities and processes of the demobilisation and reintegration exercises carried out at the end of the Nigerian civil war and assesses their implications for national politics in the West African nation. The author identifies the political, socio-economic and cultural background to the Nigerian civil war and discusses the central theme of demobilisation, disarmament and reintegration (DDR) in Nigeria against the backdrop of the policy of the country's post war reconstruction, reconciliation and rehabilitation exercise (the 3Rs). Though the central theme is Nigeria, it compares the demobilisation and reintegration exercise in Nigeria with other attempts in Sub Sahara Africa by highlighting the important deviations and drawing some conclusions on the Nigerian experience. It also touches on issues relating to international involvement and intervention in civil wars and the roles of the African Union, the Commonwealth of Nations and the United Nations.

    Contents: Preface; Introduction; Background to the Nigerian civil war; The cause for post-civil war disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration; The politics of socio-economic and humanitarian reintegration; The politics of military disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration; The international politics of rehabilitation, reconstruction and reconciliation; Conclusion; Appendix; Bibliography; Index.

    Biography

    Dr Olukunle Ojeleye, Visiting Scholar, Department of Political Science and International Relations, Osun State University, Osogbo, Nigeria

    'This is an important, carefully researched and thoughtful contribution to the burgeoning literature on disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration (DDR), focusing on a neglected case and highlighting the long-term consequences of decisions made and strategies adopted in the immediate aftermath of war.' Mats Berdal, King’s College London, UK 'Ojeleye’s engaging book takes us beyond the familiar. His is an investigation of a theme hardly explored in the extant literature on the Nigerian Civil War. Comprehensive and scholarly, yet an easy read, this excellent study enhances our understanding of the dynamics of post-war demobilization and reintegration in Nigeria, and offers a comparative framework for other conflict hot-spots in sub-Saharan Africa.' Adebayo Oyebade, Tennessee State University, USA 'The Politics of Post-War Demobilization and Reintegration, by Olukunle Ojeleye, consists of an introduction, five chapters, and an index. The preface and introduction give a synopsis of the nature, character, and argumentations of the volume. ... Overall, this book is a good reference source, which augments the pro­digious and ample publications on the civil war that many Nigerians would prefer to forget about because of its disastrous consequences.' Africa Today '... this book should appeal equally to students of African conflicts, especially those with a specific interest in post-war demobilization; students of the state and elite dynamics in Africa; and students of Nigerian politics. It is competently situated in the relevant literature, and sheds considerable light on a process that continues to contour Nigerian history in surprising ways.' Journal of Contemporary African Studies