Nigeria 2015: analysis of election issues and future prospects

Membership of international and regional organisations

The United Nations (UN)

Nigeria became a member of the UN following independence in 1960. It has been an active participant in UN peacekeeping and peace support operations, beginning with the deployment of military personnel to Congo between 1960 and 1964. Other countries in which it has participated in peace operations include Lebanon, Chad, Angola, Namibia, Cambodia, Yugoslavia, Rwanda and Sudan (Darfur).

As at July 2014, Nigeria was providing 2,977 military and police personnel to UN operations – the seventh largest contribution.³⁹¹ Nigeria was also active at the UN in promoting decolonisation. Nigeria chaired the UN’s Anti-Apartheid Committee between 1970 and 1994.

Since 1992 Nigeria has campaigned for a permanent seat on the Security Council.³⁹² Nigeria was elected to the Security Council as a non-permanent member for 2014-15.

Nigeria accepted the 2002 decision of the International Court of Justice in favour of Cameroon over the sovereignty of the oil-rich Bakassi peninsula.³⁹³

Since May 2014, the UN has designated Boko Haram and Ansaru (see above) as terrorist organisations, and Boko Haram’s leader Muhammed Abubakar Shekau as a terrorist individual.³⁹⁴

The African Union (AU)

Nigeria was a founder member of the Organisation of African Union when it was established in 1963, and of its successor, the AU, which was created in 2002. It is one of five African member states that currently makes a significant contribution to AU funding. It has been represented for much of the subsequent period on the AU’s Peace and Security Commission and has played a major role in the construction of what is called the ‘African Peace and Security Architecture, which is due to include an African Standby Force by the end of 2015.

Nigerian political leaders and diplomats have often been involved in AU-led mediation efforts. Nigeria has also been prominent in efforts to promote regional economic development and integration, including through the New Partnership for Economic Development (NEPAD).³⁹⁵

However, Nigeria has at times found itself at loggerheads with other countries seeking a leading role in the AU – most notably South Africa.

Nigeria unsuccessfully opposed the election of South African cabinet minister Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, as the new Chair of the African Union Commission in 2012.³⁹⁶ More recently, Nigeria has also found itself in disagreement with South Africa over proposals to establish a smaller, rapid reaction force (known as the African Capacity for Immediate Response to Crises [ACIRC]) in addition to the agreed African Standby Force. South Africa favours the proposal and a decision to go ahead was taken by the AU in January 2014.³⁹⁷

Deep tensions remain between the two countries as they continue to jostle for primacy within the AU.³⁹⁸

In mid-January 2015, there was talk of the AU becoming involved in coordinating efforts to combat Boko Haram, as it has been in Somalia.³⁹⁹

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)

Nigeria was a founder member of ECOWAS on its establishment in 1975. Its headquarters are in Abuja, the capital of Nigeria.

Nigeria’s relative demographic and economic power has meant that it has always been a powerful player within the organisation. Only Cote d’Ivoire has come close in terms of influence. However, at times there has also been considerable mistrust of Nigeria on the part of some of the other member states.⁴⁰⁰

Over time, the mandate of ECOWAS has expanded well beyond sub-regional economic matters to include the maintenance of peace and security in the neighbourhood. Nigeria has led the way in this regard. It was central to the ECOWAS response to the outbreak of civil war in Liberia in 1990. The ECOWAS Ceasefire Monitoring Group (ECOMOG) that was established to bring the internal conflict there to an end was in practice a Nigerian force. It also operated in neighbouring Sierra Leone during that country’s internal conflict. This experience overturned the previously dominant principle within the organisation of non-intervention in the internal affairs of member states.

No doubt motivated by its own history, over the last decade or so Nigeria has also been a strong exponent of the ECOWAS policy of ‘zero tolerance’ of military coups.

Overall, Nigeria is less predominant within the organisation than it was during the 1990s. Its leadership in driving economic integration forward across the sub-region has been weaker than on peace and security issues. For example, efforts to create monetary union across the sub-region are decades behind schedule.⁴⁰¹

However, Nigeria’s reputation on peace and security issues has also begun to suffer as a result of its apparent failure to address its own growing internal threats. But the decline in its influence within ECOWAS should not be exaggerated. Nigeria continues to be the corner-stone of ECOWAS military capabilities, providing its standby force.⁴⁰²

In mid-January 2015, there was talk of ECOWAS becoming more involved in coordinating efforts to combat Boko Haram.⁴⁰³

The Commonwealth

Nigeria joined the Commonwealth immediately following independence in 1960. It was actively involved in decolonisation issues within the organisation and campaigned forthrightly for a strong stance against the Apartheid system in South Africa until 1994.

However, between 1995 and 1999 its own membership of the organisation was suspended during the military rule of General Sani Abacha.

Between 1990 and 2000 a Nigerian, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, was the Commonwealth Secretary-General.

The African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States (ACP)

The ACP Group was established in 1975. It comprises 79 African, Caribbean and Pacific states, including Nigeria, all of whom are (with the sole exception of Cuba) signatories to the Cotonou Agreement with the European Community (now the European Union).

According to the ACP Group’s website, its main goals include the “sustainable development of its member states and their gradual integration into the global economy” and the “establishment and consolidation of peace and stability in a free and democratic society.”⁴⁰⁴

Other organisations

Nigeria is also a member of the following international organisations:

• 
  World Trade Organisation (joined at its establishment in 1995)
  
• 
  Non-Aligned Movement (joined in 1964)
  
• 
  Organisation of Petroleum-producing Countries (joined in 1971)⁴⁰⁵
  
• 
  Group of 77 (joined in 1964)
  
• 
  Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (joined in 1986)
  

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