A Study of Nigerian Army’s Involvement in African Union Peacekeeping Mission in Darfur, 2004–2007

Abstract This study investigated the role of the Nigerian Army in the African Union-initiated peace mission in Darfur between 2004 and 2007, in a conflict between the Government of Sudan and two rebel groups in Darfur. This qualitative research which was anchored on Relative Deprivation, Frustration and Aggression, and Role theories, adopted a historical research design. Instruments for, and methods of data collection were primarily direct interviews conducted with Nigerian soldiers. Sample was drawn from officers and men of the Nigerian Army who had participated in the peace mission. The paper finds that even though the mission was beset with numerous challenges, the activities of Nigerian soldiers helped ameliorate the dire situation and restored hope to the embattled people of Darfur. The paper concludes that the nexus between leadership failure in the African Union and inadequate support from the international community accounted for the challenges that befell the mission.