WILBERFORCE JOURNAL OF THE SOCIAL SCIENCES (WJSS)
ISSN: 2504 – 9232
Volume 10, No. 2, November 2025
Pages 191-212
DOI: 10.36108/wjss/5202.01.0211
THE DYNAMICS OF INTERNATIONAL PEACEMAKING: ANALYZING THE RATIONALES BEHIND INITIATION AND TERMINATION OF PEACEBUILDING EFFORTS IN AFRICA
Olusegun Oladele Idowu
Department of Intelligence and Security Studies, Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria
Seun Bamidele
Department of Peace and Conflict Studies, Federal University Oye-Ekiti, Nigeria
Olawale Y. Olonade
Centre for Sociological Research and Practice, University of Johannesburg, South Africa
Abstract
This study explores the complex dynamics behind the initiation and cessation of international peacemaking and peacebuilding efforts in African conflicts. By examining the political, strategic, and humanitarian factors that drive these international interventions, the study seeks to uncover the underlying rationales for why global actors engage in, sustain, or ultimately withdraw from peacebuilding initiatives. The study critically assesses how these motivations align or conflict with the needs and expectations of the affected populations, highlighting the often-intricate relationship between international objectives and local realities. Through a detailed analysis of case studies and policy documents, the study provides insights into the effectiveness and limitations of international efforts, offering a comprehensive understanding of the forces shaping the international response to conflicts in Africa.
Keywords: International peacebuilding, African conflicts, geopolitical interests, humanitarian interventions, local needs and expectations, coordination challenges