THE NEGOTIATING POTENTIAL OF THE REPUBLIC OF NIGER IN NEUTRALIZING THE THREAT OF TERRORISM TO THE STATES OF THE CENTRAL SAHEL
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.29038/2524-2679-2023-01-158-169Keywords:
diplomacy, negotiations, terrorism, conflict resolution, West Africa, Republic of NigerAbstract
The proposed scientific research lies at the intersection of three directions of international relations: 1) the study of modern transnational armed conflicts; 2) consideration of negotiations as a key tool in conflict resolution; 3) analysis of the modern potential of state diplomacy in neutralizing manifestations of terrorism. The immediate goal of the work is to establish the key characteristics and general quality of the diplomatic negotiation potential of the Republic of Niger in neutralizing the threat of terrorism to the countries of the Central Sahel, which is projected in the format of a transnational conflict. Characterizing the place and role of negotiations in any conflict, the author proceeds from three key statements that indicate the direct relationship between the two concepts (negotiations and conflict) and have become established in the field of conflict studies: 1) negotiations change the incentives and opportunities for violence within the conflict; 2) negotiations are interconnected with other means of influencing the course of the conflict and ending it, (for example, peacekeeping or mediation); 3) negotiations have a direct impact on the cohesion of the conflict participants. The results of the study confirm the high level of relevance and viability of the state-centric model of diplomacy. The diplomacy of the Republic of Niger demonstrates sufficient adaptability and flexibility, which is indicated by the readiness of the government to use various tools to resolve transnational conflicts and neutralize the terrorist threats towards its national security. On the other hand, the obtained results indicate a number of shortcomings of the state strategy in conducting negotiations with terrorist groups. They are: the institutional problems (interaction between central authorities and quasi-state institutions for conducting negotiations); imperfection of tools for conducting negotiations in conflict situation (means of mediation); lack of convincing internal socio-political dialogue (ineffectiveness of negotiations due to the lack of trust between the central government and local government or community); differentiation of interests, goals and means of its achievement within the inter-state cooperation of Niger and its western partner states, directly France and the USA.
References
Elischer, S. (2018, January). Defying the odds? Nigerien responses to foreign and domestic security challenges. West African Papers, 11, 18 p.
Elischer, S. (2021). The Republic of Niger: The military as a security and political actor. The Routledge Handbook of Civil-Military Relations, p. 76–88, Routledge.
Sidibe, D. (2017). Business diplomacy: asymmetry and symmetry of power in nego- tiations between multi-nationals and governments in the case of Areva and Niger. Interna- tional Journal of Diplomacy and Economy, 3 (3), р. 219–242.
Umate, M. D., & Idris, A. (2021). Hausaland. A Nation in Nations: The Hausaniza- tion of Nigeria-Niger Republic Diplomatic Relations. Social Science Research, 7 (1).
Abbas Yakubu & Dr. Roosevelt Idehen (2021, Jan.-Mar.) Border Patrol And Surveil- lance іn The Control of Transnational Terrorism in Nigeria and Niger. International Journal of Innovative Legal & Political Studies, 9 (1), р. 81–94.
Abdelhak Bassou & Amal el Ouassif (2019). Understanding Terrorism and Orga- nized Crime in Light of Fragile States: Case Study on Niger, Mali and Chad. In Abdelhak Bassou & Amal El Ouassif. Evolving Human Security Challenges in the Atlantic Space, р. 23–40. Jean Monnet Network on Atlantic Studies.
Obi, C. I. (2006). Terrorism in West Africa: Real, emerging or imagined threats?
African Security Studies, 15 (3), р. 87–101.
Höglund, K. (2008). Peace Negotiations in the Shadow of Violence. Martinus Ni- jhoff Publishers.
DeRouen, K. & Chowdhury, I. (2018). Mediation, Peacekeeping and Civil War Peace Agreements. Defence and Peace Economics, 29 (2), р. 130–146.
Duursma, A. & Fliervoet, F. (2021). Fueling Factionalism? The Impact of Peace Processes on Rebel Group Fragmentation in Civil Wars. Journal of Conflict Resolution, 65 (4), р. 788–812.
Watson, A. (1982). Diplomacy: The Dialogue Between States. London: Eyre Methuen.
Jönsson, Christer & Hall, Martin. (2003). Communication: An Essential Aspect of Diplomacy. International Studies Perspectives, 4 (2), р. 195–210.
Coolsaet, Rik (2004). The Transformation of Diplomacy at the Threshold of the New Millennium. Diplomacy, vol. III, р. 1–24.
Berridge, G. R. (2002). Diplomacy: Theory and Practice. London: Palgrave.
Nan, Susan Allen (2003). «Track I Diplomacy.» Beyond Intractability. In Guy, Burgess & Heidi, Burgess (Eds.), Conflict Information Consortium, University of Colorado, Boulder. Retrieved from http://www.beyondintractability.org/essay/track1-diplomacy.
Human Development Index (HDI) (2021). UNDP Human Development Reports.
Retrieved from https://hdr.undp.org/data-center/human-development-index#/indicies/HDI
Mappr. (2022). Countries and Regions Maps. Regions of Niger. Retrieved from https://www.mappr.co/counties/niger/
Frontière Niger-Mali: mettre l’outil militaire au service d’une approche politique (12 juin 2018). Rapport Afrique, № 261.
Court-circuiter l’Etat islamique dans la région de Tillabéri au Niger. (3 juin 2020).
Rapport Afrique, № 289.
Morten Bøås, Abdoul Wakhab Cissé & Laouali Mahamane (2020). Explaining Vio- lence in Tillabéri: Insurgent Appropriation of Local Grievances?, The International Specta- tor, 55 (4), р. 118–132.
Niger: qu'est-il arrivé à Oumarou Roua, disparu vers Tongo Tongo le 11 avril? (18 Mai 2019). RFI. Retrieved from https://www.rfi.fr/fr/afrique/20190517-niger-oumarou- roua-kiro-conseiller-primature-eigs-tongo-tongo-11-avril.
Au Niger, la stratégie du dialogue avec les jihadistes pour retrouver la paix. (mars 18, 2022). AFP. Retrieved from https://www.voaafrique.com/a/au-niger-la-strat%C3%A9gie- du-dialogue-avec-les-jihadistes-pour-retrouver-la-paix/6490784.html.
No room for dialogue’: How abuses by Niger’s foreign-funded army derail its anti- jihadist fight. (30 November 2021). The New Humanitarian. Retrieved from https://www. thenewhumanitarian.org/analysis/2021/11/30/how-Niger-foreign-funded-army-derail-its- anti-jihadist-fight.
Laurence Bindner. (February 2018). Jihadists’ Grievance Narratives against France. ICCT Policy Brief. The Hague, 8 (7).
Rewards for Justice – Reward Offer for Those Involved in the 2017 «Tongo Tongo» Ambush in Niger. Office of the Spokesperson. (October 4, 2019). An official website of the United States government. 2017–2021 Archived Content. Retrieved from https://20172021. state.gov/rewards-for-justice-reward-offer-for-those-involved-in-the-2017-tongo-tongo- ambush-in-niger/index.html.
