ktjmunc 2011 - sc - growing ethnic tensions in nigeria
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8/6/2019 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
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Kolej Tuanku Ja’afar Model United Nations 2011 | I Annual Session
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
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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.
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Kolej Tuanku Ja’afar Model United Nations 2011 | I Annual Session
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
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Kolej Tuanku Ja’afar Model United Nations 2011 | I Annual Session
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.
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Kolej Tuanku Ja’afar Model United Nations 2011 | I Annual Session
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
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Kolej Tuanku Ja’afar Model United Nations 2011 | I Annual Session
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