War And Peace In West Africa Since 1960

1. Define the terms 'war' and 'peace'.
2. Explain the concept of war and peace as major themes in West Africa.
3. Appreciate why peace efforts succeeded in some countries and failed in others.
4. Appraise the roles played by ECOWAS in restoring peace.
5. Identify the causes of wars/conflicts in West Africa since 1960.

13 weeks, about 28 hours in total. Yours will differ.

1. Week 1Module 1:

   • Unit 1: West Africa before 1960 · 2 hours

     Read the introduction to War and Peace in West Africa since 1960.. Understand the concepts of war and peace.. Study West Africa's socio-political situation before 1960..

2. Week 2Module 1:

   • Unit 2: Major Wars of Colonial Conquest in West Africa · 2 hours

     Identify European strategies of penetration into West Africa.. Understand the concept of pacification in colonial conquest.. Study examples of colonial conquests in West Africa..

3. Week 3Module 1:

   • Unit 3: Background to Post-colonial Wars in West Africa: A Historical Perspective · 2 hours

     Examine the pre-colonial setting and the slave trade's impact.. Analyze the religious factor and its influence on conflicts.. Understand the colonial factor's role in setting the stage for post-colonial wars..

4. Week 4Module 1:

   • Unit 4: Causes of Wars/Conflicts in West Africa since 1960 · 2 hours

     Identify the nature of colonial boundaries and their impact.. Analyze the role of ethnicity in West African conflicts.. Understand economic and political factors contributing to wars..

5. Week 5Module 2:

   • Unit 1: General Principles of Conflict Resolution · 2 hours

     Define conflict resolution and its processes.. Understand conflict management and transformation.. Study collaboration, negotiation, and mediation..

6. Week 6Module 2:

   • Unit 2: Conflict Handling Styles · 2 hours

     Explore various conflict handling styles.. Identify factors influencing conflict handling styles.. Understand extra-territorial aspects of conflict handling..

7. Week 7Module 2:

   • Unit 3: The Concept, and Process, of Mediation · 2 hours

     Define mediation and its guiding principles.. Understand the mediation process stages.. Study problem statement and clarification..

8. Week 8Module 2:

   • Unit 4: Methods of Conflict Resolution amongst States in West Africa since 1960 · 2 hours

     Examine the nature and scope of conflict in West Africa.. Understand conflict resolution methods in pre-ECOWAS and ECOWAS periods.. Study the challenges of peace-making efforts..

9. Week 9Module 3:

   • Unit 1: War/Conflict in English-speaking West African Countries since 1960 · 2 hours

     Study the Nigerian Civil War's background and causes.. Understand the Liberian Civil War's origins and ECOWAS intervention.. Analyze the conflict in Sierra Leone and its resolution..

10. Week 10Module 3:

    • Unit 2: War/Conflict in Non-English-speaking West African Countries since 1960 · 2 hours

      Examine the Chadian crisis and external involvement.. Understand the conflicts in Cote d'Ivoire.. Study the conflict in Guinea-Bissau and its resolution..

11. Week 11Module 3:

    • Unit 3: The Role of (the Economic Community of) West African States in Conflicts/Wars in their English-Speaking Sister Countries · 2 hours

      Analyze the role of West African states in the Nigerian Civil War.. Understand ECOWAS' strategic role in the Liberian conflict.. Study ECOWAS' role in the Sierra Leone conflict..

12. Week 12Module 3:

    • Unit 4: The Role of (the Economic Community of) West African States in the Conflicts/Wars in their Non-English-Speaking Sister Countries · 2 hours

      Examine the role of West African states in the Chadian crisis.. Understand ECOWAS' role in the Cote d'Ivoire conflict.. Study ECOWAS' role in the Guinea-Bissau conflict..

13. Week 13Module 4:

    • Unit 1: The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in the Context of Peace/Security in West Africa · 2 hours

      Understand the background to ECOWAS formation.. Study key provisions of the ECOWAS treaty.. Analyze the significance of ECOWAS interventions..

    • Unit 2: ECOWAS' ECOMOG: Peace-keeping Missions in West Africa · 2 hours

      Review ECOMOG's peace-keeping missions in West Africa.. Understand the arguments for and against ECOWAS intervention.. Study the profile of ECOMOG peace missions and regional peace..