International Statebuilding in West Africa: Civil Wars and New Humanitarianism in Sierra Leone, Liberia, and Cote d'Ivoire

Bah and Emmanuel argue that civil wars can be viewed as opportunities for state building through creative postwar partnerships and organization, and that peace building and statebuilding are not domestic matters alone but also matters of global intervention. They introduce and enhance the concepts of state decay, new humanitarianism, people-centered liberalism, and institutional design, providing critical lessons for local and international actors to figure out practical solutions to political, economic, and social problems.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 370 pages
Publication date: 06 August 2024
Publisher: Indiana University Press

The turn of the twenty-first century witnessed a confluence of factors that led to years-long civil wars in Sierra Leone, Liberia, and Côte d'Ivoire. These conflicts were fueled by manipulation of the democratic process, preexisting political and economic grievances, and international peacekeeping efforts and humanitarian intervention became the dominant paths for restoring stability by rebuilding the state. This manuscript sheds light on internationally driven state building in war-torn West African nations, the problematic nature of the postcolonial state, and the difficulties of securing its people's wellbeing.

Bah and Emmanuel argue that there is a clear nexus between the concepts and practices of peace building and statebuilding; that peace building and statebuilding are not domestic matters alone but also matters of global intervention; and that civil wars can be viewed as opportunities for state building through creative postwar partnerships and organization. This study goes beyond the familiar concepts of failed states, R2P, peacekeeping, and peace mediation and introduces and enhances the concepts of state decay, new humanitarianism, people-centered liberalism, and institutional design.

In doing so, it provides critical lessons that local and international actors can draw on as they try to figure out practical solutions to the political, economic, and social problems that impede the development of peaceful and democratic multiethnic postcolonial states in Africa and beyond.

Applying comparative-historical methods and theory to archival materials and expert interviews, International Statebuilding in West Africa seeks to shift the discourse on civil wars from their traditional focus on failed states and R2P to a more nuanced understanding of the complex dynamics that drive conflict and statebuilding in the region.

The book is organized into three main sections. The first section provides a historical overview of the civil wars in Sierra Leone, Liberia, and Côte d'Ivoire, tracing the origins, causes, and consequences of these conflicts. The second section examines the international peacekeeping and humanitarian intervention efforts that were deployed in these countries, and the third section explores the challenges of statebuilding in the post-conflict period.

One of the key findings of the book is that civil wars can be viewed as opportunities for state building. This is because they provide an opportunity for the state to reassert its authority and legitimacy, and to rebuild its capacity to deliver services to its citizens. However, this opportunity is often squandered by the political elites who control the state, who use the conflict to consolidate their power and to enrich themselves.

The book also highlights the problematic nature of the postcolonial state. The postcolonial state is often characterized by weak institutions, corruption, and a lack of accountability. This makes it difficult for the state to deliver services to its citizens and to maintain stability.

To address these challenges, the book proposes a number of solutions. These include the promotion of democracy, the strengthening of institutions, and the development of a more inclusive and equitable society. The book also emphasizes the importance of international cooperation and assistance in statebuilding efforts.

One of the challenges that the book identifies is the difficulty of securing the people's wellbeing in the post-conflict period. This is because the state is often weak and unable to provide basic services to its citizens. This can lead to social unrest, political instability, and even violence.

To address this challenge, the book proposes a number of solutions. These include the promotion of social and economic development, the provision of basic services, and the protection of human rights. The book also emphasizes the importance of building local capacity and promoting local ownership of statebuilding efforts.

In conclusion, International Statebuilding in West Africa is a valuable contribution to the literature on civil wars and statebuilding. It provides a nuanced understanding of the complex dynamics that drive conflict and statebuilding in the region, and it proposes a number of solutions to address these challenges. The book is well-written and accessible, and it will be of interest to scholars, policymakers, and practitioners working in the field of international development and peacebuilding.

Weight: 562g
Dimension: 234 x 156 x 24 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780253070630