EXTERNAL FORCE PROJECTION IN THE GULF OF GUINEA AS A THREAT TO REGIONAL SECURITY: ROLE OF THE NIGERIAN MILITARY

Abstract

The much expected peace, stability and development after the Cold War
remain elusive. While it was hoped to be an era of promise and developing
partnerships it became an era of irregular and increasingly intermittent conflict in
which Africa is not an exception. However, the tremendous potential of the Gulf of
Guinea is creating investment opportunities for the region. Some of its resources,
such as oil, minerals and forests, continue to attract significant investments
whereas others like natural gas could be exploited to their full potential if the
necessary investments were undertaken. Nevertheless, the Gulf of Guinea has to
cope with numerous challenges, both exogenous and endogenous, before it can
fully benefit from its riches. One of these problems stems from the overwhelmingly
weak institutions and governance, pointed by stylized facts, which add to the risks
of "natural resource curse" and can feed the theory of the Paradox of Plenty. The
lacunae created by the neglect of the maritime domain allowed the US and other
foreign powers to foray in the region to exploit its resources. The case is made that
regional institutional arrangements and increased involvement of the international
community and other stakeholders should complement the efforts in which
countries in the region should engage to address policy and governance issues.
Complementary avenues are proposed, including maintaining stability and
security, putting in place credible maritime guard force and making better use of
the region's own assets.