Papers by Maurice Ogbonnaya
With particular focus on the Liberian and Sierra Leonean crises, this paper presents a descriptiv... more With particular focus on the Liberian and Sierra Leonean crises, this paper presents a descriptive analysis of how intra-state conflicts in the West African sub-region transformed a formerly economic interstate organization (ECOWAS) to develop interstate crisis management mechanisms. The period of the study is divided into two; 1975-1989 and 1990-2004. Findings showed that between 1975 when ECOWAS was formed and 1989, when the Liberian crisis stated, integration process in the sub-region lingered. However, the escalation of conflicts in Liberia and Sierra Leone occasioned the search for/and emphasis on peace-building and security cooperation among member-states. This resulted in the restructuring of ECOWAS and development of crisis management mechanisms. In the long run, the search for sustainable solutions accelerated integration process within the sub-region. However, the paper points out the need to strengthen ECOWAS conflict management and peace-building strategies amongst other things, in order to forestall the escalation of conflicts in the sub-region as is currently being witnessed in Mali.
The optimism that characterized the Arab Spring in 2011 has begun to sour as reality sets in. The... more The optimism that characterized the Arab Spring in 2011 has begun to sour as reality sets in. The legacy of the Arab Spring has now borne witness to more than 110,000 Syrian deaths, insecurity in Libya, military control in Egypt, and renewed instability in Algeria i. Abstract This paper examines the imperative of African Union's intervention in the crisis of democratic institutionalization in Egypt. It utilized secondary sources of data in the analysis and interpretation of the current situation in Egypt. Findings show that the current crisis in Egypt and the increasing violence indicate that governance by force and through the exclusion of the Muslim Brotherhood will escalate the crisis and will be very risky for the stability of Egypt and the region. Consequently, the paper calls on the African Union to provide the strategic leadership and the good offices in resolving the crisis. The paper suggests that in doing this, the AU should ensure that the
The emergence of regional parliamentary assemblies (RPAs) in Africa has been on the ascendancy si... more The emergence of regional parliamentary assemblies (RPAs) in Africa has been on the ascendancy since the mid-twentieth century. The essence of these parliaments is to contribute to regional economic and political integration through oversight, legislation and representation. However, the ability of Africa's RPAs to perform these functions has been challenged by institutional and legal factors. Using five regional parliaments (the East African Legislative Assembly, the Economic Community of West African States Parliament, the Inter-Parliamentary Union of Intergovernmental Authority on Development, the Pan-African Parliament and the South African Development Community Parliamentary Forum) as case studies, this paper examines the impact of these challenges on the functionality and viability of Africa's RPAs. It finds that given that these parliaments lack legitimacy of authority and enabling status of operation, they exist merely as deliberative, consultative and advisory bodies rather than independent organs of regional economic communities with full legislative and oversight powers. Consequently, the paper recommends, among other things, the amendment of their constitutive acts to grant them full legislative and oversight functions, and the election of their members by universal adult suffrage in order to give them legitimacy of authority.
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Using the Transmission Model of Conflict Analysis as an analytical framework, with data obtained ... more Using the Transmission Model of Conflict Analysis as an analytical framework, with data obtained from the Ibrahim Index of African Governance and the United Nations Human Development Report, this article engages in an analysis of how protracted ethnic conflicts have resulted in political instability and socioeconomic underdevelopment in Africa's Great Lakes region. Rwanda, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of the Congo have been selected as case studies for the period between 2000 and 2010, but references are made to other countries in the region as well. The findings show that conflicts in the region are fuelled by ethnocentric tendencies. This has had negative impacts on political stability and has resulted in socioeconomic underdevelopment. Consequently, the article recommends the institutionalisation of a robust nation-building and political process that de-emphasises ethnicity and promotes political and socioeconomic justice.
Using Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone as case studies, this paper examines the political factors... more Using Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone as case studies, this paper examines the political factors that enabled the outbreak and prevalence of Ebola virus in West Africa. The data are generated from Ibrahim Index of African Governance, Human Development Report, World Development Indicators, and Corruption Perception Index. The central argument is that protracted violent conflicts in the sub-region resulted in political instability, which collapsed governmental functions and socioeconomic infrastructure and services. Thus, the inability of governments to respond effectively to the outbreak of Ebola is located in the absence of enabling and corresponding socioeconomic infrastructure, especially in the rural areas. Consequently, the paper projects that the virus will remain a potent threat to human security in West Africa so long as infrastructure remains in a ruinous condition. Given this projection, the paper recommends overhauling socioeconomic infrastructure and strengthening political stability through the institutionalisation of democratic principles in the sub-region.
In all democracies, the legislature has the primary function of law making amongst other responsi... more In all democracies, the legislature has the primary function of law making amongst other responsibilities.
In the law-making or legislative process, there is the interplay between the political and administrative structures
of the legislature. However, little or no attention has been paid to the influence of this interplay on the legislative
process in the extant literature. Thus, using three federal political systems; Nigeria, Brazil and the United States as
case studies, the present paper aims at the analysis of the impacts of the interplay of political and administrative
structures of the legislature on their legislative processes. Comparing these systems brought to the fore the
similarities and differences inherent in their legislative procedures and from the findings of the analysis, some
policy lessons were drawn for Nigeria in particular. These among others, included the need for a constitutional
amendment in Nigeria to restructure the unwieldy size of the Federal legislature and the development of political
systems that are indigenous to its historical and socio-political milieu.
With particular focus on Nigeria, this paper examined the security challenges posed to nation – s... more With particular focus on Nigeria, this paper examined the security challenges posed to nation – states by “violent
non-state actors” such as Boko Harram and Niger Delta Militia. It also studied the linkages between the process
of globalization and the rise and expansion of these non-state actors. Findings indicated that core attributes and
responsibilities of the state system such as territoriality, monopoly of means of violence and coercion,
maintenance of law and order and the protection of lives and property have been challenged in the main by the
preponderance of violent groups within the state. Thus, the paper recommended among other things, a thorough
understanding of the operational methodologies of all ethnic and regional-based violent groups in Nigeria by
national security operatives, a global agreement and cooperation to be reached among nations in various areas in
order to bridge socio-economic inequalities which results in aggressive behaviours among the less privileged and
reduce global insecurity. It also drew attention to the imperativeness of security sector reforms in Nigeria.
Using the Boko Haram terrorist group in Nigeria as a point of departure, this paper examines the ... more Using the Boko Haram terrorist group in Nigeria as a point of departure, this paper examines the implications of the operations of terrorist groups on the security and stability of states in West Africa. It predominantly utilises secondary sources of data. Findings indicate that the membership and operations of this terrorist group are spreading across the sub-region. This spread is consequent upon Boko Haram's collaboration with other terrorist groups within West Africa and beyond. This constitutes threats to the security and stability of states in the sub-region. Thus, the paper recommends, among other things: a thorough understanding of the operational strategies of terrorist groups by states and those involved in security policymaking in the sub-region; and for agreements to be reached among Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) member states and their governments for collaboration in various areas in order to curtail transnational crime and terrorism, and reduce socio-economic inequality that generates aggressive behaviours among the less privileged.
The current global financial crisis and economic meltdown has thrown up a number of questions. On... more The current global financial crisis and economic meltdown has thrown up a number of questions. One of such, is how prepared national governments are to contend with the devastating food crisis plaguing the world generally and Africa in particular. In Africa for instance, this crisis is exacerbated by the fact that agricultural and food productivity per capita has been dwindling over the years; standing at about 2.5 per cent currently. This is abysmal when compared to population growth which stands at about 3.6 per cent. Nonetheless, political reforms as dictated by international financial institutions, which resulted in the democratization of political and administrative structures, have not been accompanied by socio-economic reforms and appropriate development policies, strategies and programmes that will enhance agricultural and food productivity. This has occasioned revolutionary pressures on African states and those who act on its behalf, and calls for urgent reappraisal of existing state policies, programmes and institutions on food security in Africa. This paper is part of the attempts at the reappraisal. It examines the challenges and problems of food security in Africa and identifies the prospects for a double green revolution in Africa. The paper recommends, as a strategy in tackling the food crisis, a restructuring of existing state institutions and collaborations among African states to ensure food sufficiency.
The state system as was designed by the Westphalia Treaty of 1648 is meant to function on the dua... more The state system as was designed by the Westphalia Treaty of 1648 is meant to function on the dual principles of sovereignty and territoriality -"centralized political units conceived in territorial terms and subject to no superior authority." Another core attribute of the state apart from sovereignty and territorial authority, is the monopoly on the exercise of force or the use of instrument of violence. But globalization in its current form and dimension has developed on the questioning of these attributes of the state with the emergence of international terrorism and international violent ideological groups that have developed military and strategic arsenals that threaten the security of nation-states and their citizens. With particular focus on Nigeria, this study seeks to examine the security challenges posed to nation-states by these "violent non-state actors" such as Boko Haram and Niger Delta Militancy in international politics, especially since the September 11, 2001 bombing of the World Trade Centre in the United States. The study adopted descriptive and analytical approaches and discovered that these two terrorist groups have not only challenged the security of the Nigerian state but also threatened its unity, territoriality and sovereignty. The study therefore recommends a thorough understanding of the operational methodologies of all terrorist groups by policy makers and a global agreement/ cooperation to be reached among states and those that act on their behalf towards curtailing international terrorism with a view to ensuring global security.
Since the twentieth century, intensifying global transformations have led to the spread of religi... more Since the twentieth century, intensifying global transformations have led to the spread of religious extremism and jihadist movements. In the United States, there was the Al-Qaeda terrorist attack on the World Trade Centre on September 11, 2001and similar attacks in Britain, Spain and other parts of Europe within the same period. Since 2011, sectarian clashes have lingered in northern Lebanon following the arrest of a Lebanese Islamist linked to the Syrian uprising. In Africa, the Boko Haram Islamic sect with known religious preferences and belief system has occasioned national security crisis in Nigeria. In Mali, the Tuareg fighters with support from Al-Qaeda have stoked a simmering rebellion in the country. All this has created global security challenges which threaten the security of nation-states and their citizens. This paper seeks to establish the nexus between globalization and the spread of religious extremism and how it poses a threat to global security.
This paper examines the process of globalization in relation to the Westphalia state system. The ... more This paper examines the process of globalization in relation to the Westphalia state system. The central focus of the paper is to investigate why nation-states are breaking up and ethnic nationalities are fighting for sovereignty and territorial authority in spite of all attempts to globalize the world and unify the international system. The paper most predominantly made use of secondary data and employed descriptive analysis. The findings reveal that globalization is not contributing to the withering away of nation-states and ethnic nationalities nor is it creating a new basis for their mutual co-existence in the framework of national (states) or regional communities. Thus, the paper concludes that it is not to be assumed that globalization will bring about the elimination of national or ethnic characteristics or cultures as they are persisting despite all universalization tendencies.
This paper examines the social problem of trafficking in human beings in Nigeria. It considers th... more This paper examines the social problem of trafficking in human beings in Nigeria. It considers the root causes of the problem, the socio-economic implication of human trafficking, its recent global dimension and the policies and programmes of the Nigerian state in combating this ugly phenomenon. The paper made predominant use of secondary sources of data. Findings reveal that though the state has certain policies and programs aimed at combating human trafficking, the problem persists because the institutions saddled with these responsibilities are fundamentally weak. The paper, therefore, recommends certain measures to help in tackling the problem of human trafficking in Nigeria.
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Papers by Maurice Ogbonnaya
In the law-making or legislative process, there is the interplay between the political and administrative structures
of the legislature. However, little or no attention has been paid to the influence of this interplay on the legislative
process in the extant literature. Thus, using three federal political systems; Nigeria, Brazil and the United States as
case studies, the present paper aims at the analysis of the impacts of the interplay of political and administrative
structures of the legislature on their legislative processes. Comparing these systems brought to the fore the
similarities and differences inherent in their legislative procedures and from the findings of the analysis, some
policy lessons were drawn for Nigeria in particular. These among others, included the need for a constitutional
amendment in Nigeria to restructure the unwieldy size of the Federal legislature and the development of political
systems that are indigenous to its historical and socio-political milieu.
non-state actors” such as Boko Harram and Niger Delta Militia. It also studied the linkages between the process
of globalization and the rise and expansion of these non-state actors. Findings indicated that core attributes and
responsibilities of the state system such as territoriality, monopoly of means of violence and coercion,
maintenance of law and order and the protection of lives and property have been challenged in the main by the
preponderance of violent groups within the state. Thus, the paper recommended among other things, a thorough
understanding of the operational methodologies of all ethnic and regional-based violent groups in Nigeria by
national security operatives, a global agreement and cooperation to be reached among nations in various areas in
order to bridge socio-economic inequalities which results in aggressive behaviours among the less privileged and
reduce global insecurity. It also drew attention to the imperativeness of security sector reforms in Nigeria.
In the law-making or legislative process, there is the interplay between the political and administrative structures
of the legislature. However, little or no attention has been paid to the influence of this interplay on the legislative
process in the extant literature. Thus, using three federal political systems; Nigeria, Brazil and the United States as
case studies, the present paper aims at the analysis of the impacts of the interplay of political and administrative
structures of the legislature on their legislative processes. Comparing these systems brought to the fore the
similarities and differences inherent in their legislative procedures and from the findings of the analysis, some
policy lessons were drawn for Nigeria in particular. These among others, included the need for a constitutional
amendment in Nigeria to restructure the unwieldy size of the Federal legislature and the development of political
systems that are indigenous to its historical and socio-political milieu.
non-state actors” such as Boko Harram and Niger Delta Militia. It also studied the linkages between the process
of globalization and the rise and expansion of these non-state actors. Findings indicated that core attributes and
responsibilities of the state system such as territoriality, monopoly of means of violence and coercion,
maintenance of law and order and the protection of lives and property have been challenged in the main by the
preponderance of violent groups within the state. Thus, the paper recommended among other things, a thorough
understanding of the operational methodologies of all ethnic and regional-based violent groups in Nigeria by
national security operatives, a global agreement and cooperation to be reached among nations in various areas in
order to bridge socio-economic inequalities which results in aggressive behaviours among the less privileged and
reduce global insecurity. It also drew attention to the imperativeness of security sector reforms in Nigeria.