External Factor in Armed Conflicts in South-East Nigeria: Implications for Security and Development Sustainability

External interest in armed conflicts within the borders of weak sovereign states remains a major source of concern within the international system and continues to fester. Nigeria’s south east region has become a hotbed of armed conflicts largely attributed to secession agitations, particularly since 2021. The increase in violence and failure by government to effectively protect life and property in the region raise serious concerns over the involvement of external interests in the conflict and informed this study which examined possible external factor in the conflict as well as its implications for security and development sustainability in the country. Anchored on the Conspiracy theory, data were collated from primary and secondary sources using questionnaire and key-informant interviews. Among other things, the study found strong but surreptitious foreign interests which undermine national integration and supply weapons used by non-state actors in the conflict. It also found correlations between the external factors and security as well as development implications for the country. In view of the findings, the study recommended strong international collaboration and technology-driven border policing strategy to curb armament of non-state actors in the country. It equally advocated for end to marginalization of the south east region in national affairs.