Nigeria’s peace interventions in Sao Tome and Principe and the Republic of Togo under President Olusegun Obasanjo

Abstract

Nigeria’s description as a foremost black nation in the world has made it a natural leader in Africa. The ruling class has consistently professed Nigeria’s leading role in Africa and deployed resources to maintain the position. While Nigeria’s Afro-centric policy has had its heroic and golden moments, the era of military mis-governance – particularly under the regime of Sani Abacha – led to a reversal of diplomatic fortunes. This crisis coincided with the emergence of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo as Nigeria’s democratically elected President. The impressive personal credentials of Chief Obasanjo were expected to impact positively on the conduct of the nation’s foreign policy, particularly in Africa. This paper attempts to explain the salient motivations for Nigeria’s peace interventions in Africa under President Obasanjo, and also examines the potency of his regime’s peace efforts in Sao Tome and Principe and the Republic of Togo. Through the secondary method of data generation and in-depth interview, as well as the interpretive method of data analysis, the study concludes that President Obasanjo’s interventions in both countries were influenced by realist considerations. His interventions also yielded the much anticipated peace dividends. These successes were aided by his strong personality and commitment to multilateralism.