Paper short abstract:

Since the 1960s, African nations have had separatist movements. This research shows that the Nigerian state is in a dilemma where the use of force (defense) has become inevitable to maintain national territorial integrity, despite a lack of human security (good governance and strong institutions).

Paper long abstract:

Since various African nations gained independence from European colonizers in the 1960s, a number of separatist groups have sprung up on the continent. Some of these movements have sought for a return to pre-colonial status, while others have agitated for secession by criticizing ineffective government and failed state-building initiatives. Nigeria (Indigenous People of Biafra), Cameroon (Ambazonia Self-Defence Council), Senegal (Movement of Democratic Forces of Casamance) and Mali (National Movement for the Liberation of Azawad – MNLA) have all faced secessionist threats. Following South Sudan's independence in 2011, these movements have grown in strength. This study seeks to bring together the most recent research on the topic and compare secession movements in Africa and other regions. This research focuses on the IPOB secessionist movement in South-East Nigeria. The goal is to question the processes and find a model explanation that can help scholars understand the causes and potential outcomes of secessionist movements and, most importantly, to demonstrate that the Nigerian state has found itself in a dilemma, where the use of force (defence) has become inevitable to safeguard national territorial integrity, albeit a lack of human security (good governance and strong institutions) dispositions inherent to Sub-Saharan African state systems. These latter security features feed the processes of secessionism.