The Impact of Regional Organizations on Conflict Recurrence in Post-Conflict States: A Case Study of West Africa

Abstract

There is a gap in academic literature regarding the role that regional organizations play in conflict recurrence in post-conflict states. In this study, I undertake a comprehensive comparative historical analysis of the role that the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has played in post-conflict peacebuilding and peace keeping in West Africa, specifically in the states of Nigeria and Liberia, to take a step towards filling this gap in literature. To do so, I seek to answer two questions regarding the role of regional institutions in mitigating conflict recurrence. First, how effective are regional organizations, in this case represented by ECOWAS, at mitigating conflict recurrence in post-conflict states, represented in this study by West Africa? Secondly, what role do regional organizations play within the contemporary peacebuilding organizational structure? That is to say, do regional organizations encroach on the operating area of already established international and national organizations or do they instead act as a new piece in the puzzle that gets closer to creating a complete picture of post-conflict management? Despite the extensive literature that covers both the topics of conflict recurrence in post-conflict states and the state of a shift from internationalism and nationalism to regionalism, there is little that looks at the role that regional organizations play in peace keeping and peacebuilding in these fragile states. Instead, the focus of conflict recurrence studies looks closely at the role that national organizations and international organizations play. Most studies on either the role of national or international organizations look to these groups with an inflated focus and lack a holistic perspective on the interconnectivity between them, which is generally accompanied by a complete overlook of the role that regional organizations play between these two (Gilbert 2012). However, the role that regional organizations play in mitigating post-conflict recurrence is unique and essential and therefore must be both considered and addressed. This is especially the case in regions that have nations prone to fragility. Further, regional organizations interact closely and importantly with the other two levels to further impact the likelihood, or lack thereof, of conflict recurrence. A close read of current literature points to three main areas of focus: (1) the shift from an emphasis on international organizations to regional organizations and (2) the role that organizations play in peacekeeping and peacebuilding in post-conflict states. These two areas of focus combine to lead to a third point: (3) the effectiveness of the role that regional organizations play in peacekeeping efforts in post conflict states. While the cases of Nigeria and Liberia offer a close up look at the role that regional organizations can play in the realities of peacebuilding in West Africa, they also speak to the larger realities of regional organizations in peacebuilding as a whole. The cases of Nigeria and Liberia make it evident that while regional organizations do have a role in peacebuilding, they cannot replace the current roles of national organizations and international organizations altogether. Instead, regional organizations can act as a bridge between the current levels of organizations to better facilitate the peacebuilding process as a whole.