KTJMUNC 2011 - SC - Growing Ethnic Tensions in Nigeria

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Kolej Tuanku Ja’afar Model United Nations 2011 | I Annual Session

Security Council

Prepared by Audrey Ser




Forum : Security Council

Issue : Growing Ethnic Tensions in Nigeria

Student Officer : James Yap and Audrey Ser

Position : Chair of Security Council

___________________________________________________________________

Security Council

Chapter V of the Charter of the United Nations 1945 (“UN Charter”) gives effect to

the existence of the Security Council. Article 23 of the UN Charter enumerates the

composition of the Security Council whereby it is to consist of 15 members of the

United Nations. The Republic of China, France, the Union of Soviet Socialist

Republics (The Russian Federation), the United Kingdom and the United States of

America are the permanent members of the Security Council; often referred to as

the P-5 nations. The General Assembly will elect 10 other members of the United

Nations to be non-permanent members for a term of 2 years. Article 24 provides for

the functions and powers of the United Nations. It is the Security Council’s p rimary

responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security. In discharging

these duties, the Security Council shall act in accordance with the Purposes and

Principles of Chapter I of the UN Charter.

Introduction

The Federal Republic of Nigeria (“Nigeria”) gained independence in 1960;

following nearly 16 years of military rule, a new constitution was adopted in 1999. It

is the most populous country in Africa as well as the biggest oil exporter in the

continent. However, the government continues to face the unnerving task of

reforming a petroleum-based economy since the nation’s revenues have been

squandered through corruption and mismanagement. The country is being torn apart

by ethnic, religious and tribal conflicts. Nigeria is currently experiencing its longest

period of civilian rule since its independence, but the rule of democracy does not






Background

Bosnia and Herzegovina became a well-known example of a multi-ethnic nation that

faced ethnic tensions leading to various conflicts. Nigeria would be no different if its

growing ethnic tensions are not controlled. The underlying instability can be found in

the 1950s when the British colonial rulers divided the country into three regions –

eastern, western and northern. The political power was consequently divided

between the three regions, hence leading to a relatively high fragmentation of the

federation.

The size, number of inhabitants as well as access to the dynamic urban centers

differentiated the three regions. All three territories were dominated by different

tribes; namely the tribe of Hausa-Fulani, Yoruba and Igbo. The three different tribes

worshipped different religion and had an uneven wealth distribution.




Post-Independence

The northern region ruled by the tribe of Hausa-Fulani (“Northerners”) and the

Nigerian People’s Congress (NPC) was poor and traditionally Muslim. The tribe of

Igbo (“Easterners”); best educated, mostly middle-class and customarily of Christian

faith dominated the National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons (NCNC). The

Yoruba (“Westerners”) lead the wealthiest western region that largely dominated the

opposition, the comparatively liberal Action Group (AG). Hence, the cultural and

political differences of the three ethnicities were sharp.

Nigerian-Biafran War

In 1966, the perceived corruption of the electoral and political process had led to

several back-to-back military coups. The sequence of events comprising of politician

murders had led to an increase in ethnic tension and violence. The violence against

the Igbo increased their desire for autonomy and protection from the military’s wrath.

Hence, in 1967, the Eastern Region had declared itself an independent state called

the Republic of Biafra under the leadership of Lt Colonel Emeka Ojukwa in line with

the people’s wishes. The secession led by the Igbo people was primarily due to

economic, ethnic, cultural and religious tensions among the various peoples of

Nigeria. The Republic of Biafra was reabsorbed into Nigeria in 1970 since it did not

gain recognition, particularly constitutive recognition in international law and that a

ceasefire between the two was made.

Violence between Christians and Muslims (usually Igbo Christians and Hausa or

Fulani Muslims) has been incessant since the end of the civil war in 1970.

Military Era

In the 1970s, Nigeria had joined the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries

(OPEC) due to its oil boom generated by production in the oil-rich Niger Delta. The

northern military clique benefited from the oil boom to the detriment of the Nigerian

people and economy. Since the oil revenues were not equally distributed amongst

the federated states, ethnic tensions had yet again sparked even more. Religious




tensions were also inflamed in the nation, particularly by the southerners as Ibrahim

Babangida, self-declared President in 1990 had enrolled Nigeria in the Organization

of the Islamic Conference (OIC).

Recent History

Nigeria re-achieved democracy in 1999 after almost 33 years of military rule.

Olusegun Obasanjo, the former military head of state was the new President of

Nigeria in 1999 and again in 2003. Although his presidency was condemned as

unfree and unfair, Nigeria has shown significant improvements in attempts to tackle

government corruption and to speed up development.

Goodluck Jonathan of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) served as Nigeria’s

president till 16 April 2011, when a new presidential election in Nigeria was

conducted. Goodluck Jonathan was yet again declared the winner of the presidential

election in 19 April 2011.




Questions to Consider

Ethnic violence over the oil producing Niger Delta region and inadequate

infrastructures are some of the current issues in the country.

The ethnic and religious composition of the country is a highly volatile and

dangerous mix. Half of the population is Muslim and strict sharia law applies in

the North. In the South, Christianity dominates. These issues remain “a limited

source of tension during the election period but are always near the surface in

Nigeria and could easily burst open”.

Although politicians strive to bridge the gap and suggest that the state isunified and ethnic division has been reduced, the rule of national law barely

extends beyond Abuja, the capital city and Lagos, the commercial centre.

Tribal and religious customary laws are still applicable in respective ethnic

divisions in Nigeria.

The working class of Nigeria as a possible means of curbing ethnic tensions

and foreseeable barbaric bloodbaths due to ethnic tensions.

Is self-determination by ethnic divisions a viable resolution to the issue if no

means of restraining ethnic tensions – civil war can be done?

Peaceful means to curb growing ethnic tensions in Nigeria




Bibliography and Further Reading

1. Adele, Bamgbose J.; Oloruntele, Amos. “Ethnic Agitation and Conflicts in Nigeria, 1999-2000” Development Policy Management Network Bulletin Vol. XIII, N.3. September 2001.pp. 35-36

2. Augenbraun, Eliene; Feld, Karl; Guest, Iain; Merril, Susan. “Reconciling Ethnic Conflicts: ACase Study of Bosnia-Herzegovina and Croatia ” Center for Development Information and Evaluation U.S. Agency for International Development. March 1999

3. Central Intelligence Agency. “Nigeria” The World Factbook. 26 May 2011.

4. Doyle, Mark. “Kenya strokes tribalism debate” BBC News. 4 January 2008

5. Evans, Tom. “Nigerian violence fed by ethnic, economic issues, ex-president says” CNN World. 10 March 2010

6. Herskovits, J. “Nigeria’s Rigged Democracy” Foreign Affairs. 2007. 86 (4), pp. 115-130

7. Herskovits, J. “Nigeria. The Next 10 Years” Foreign Affairs. 2009. 88 (3), pp. 1-10

8. Ilievski, Zoran; Wolff, Stefan. “Ethnic Conflict Regulation as Institutional Design: The Case ofthe Western Balkans”

9. Mason, Barry. “Ethnic conflict escalates in Nigeria” World Socialist Web Site. 17 August1999

10. Mustapha, Abdul Raufu. “Ethnic Minority Groups in Nigeria – Current Situation and MajorProblems” Nigerian Muse: That the World May Know. 5 December 2010

11. Photius Coutsoukis. “Nigeria ETHNICITY” 27 March 2005 12. Pocha, Jehangir. “Using Ethnic Hatred to Meet Political Ends” Philadelphia Inquirer. 7 June

2002.

13. Sotiropoulou, Angeliki. “The role of ethnicity in ethnic conflicts: The case of Yugoslavia”

14. The Charter of the United Nations 1945

15. Ukiwo, Ukoha. “On the Study of Ethnicity in Nigeria” CRISE: Centre for Research on Inequality, Human Security and Ethnicity. June 2005 Working Paper No. 12

16. U.S. Library of Congress “Ethnic Relations” Countrystudies.US

17. V.P. Gagnon, Jr. “Ethnic Conflict as Demobilizer: The Case of Serbia” ITHACA College, New York. 20 October 1999.

18. Walker, Maxton. “Kyrgyzstan: the scars of ethnic conflict run deep” Guardian.co.uk. 10 June2011.

19. Workers’ Alternative. “Ethnic conflicts in Nigeria – Only the working class can offer a wayout” In Defence of Marxism. 17 July 2002

20. Xan, Rice. “Ivory Coast: 100 more bodies found as ethnic tensions rise” Guardian.co.uk. 8April 2011

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KTJMUNC 2011 - SC - Growing Ethnic Tensions in Nigeria