Global Journal of Peace and Conflict Studies

Global Journal of Peace and Conflict Studies | Vol. 4, No. 8, August 2013 | pp. 280–288

DOI: 10.46882/2013/GJPCS/000053

Article Type: Original Research Paper

Title: Evaluating the Efficacy of Regional Sanctions on Defusing Constitutional Crises in West Africa

Names of Authors: Chinedu Okechukwu¹, Fatou Sow²

Authors’ Affiliations: ¹Department of Political Science, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria; ²Council for the Development of Social Science Research in Africa, Dakar, Senegal

Abstract: Abstract: The deployment of economic and diplomatic sanctions by regional bodies remains a primary mechanism for enforcing democratic norms during constitutional crises. This study evaluates the structural impact of regional trade blockades and asset freezes implemented during undemocratic transfers of power between 2010 and 2012. Utilizing an econometric event-study methodology alongside 28 interviews with regional diplomats, we analyzed macroeconomic indicators and elite compliance timelines. The quantitative outputs confirm that comprehensive trade restrictions accelerate back-channel negotiation timelines by 45% compared to diplomatic condemnation alone (p < 0.05). However, cross-sectional survey data from 500 border-zone households demonstrate that trade embargoes inflict severe asymmetric economic harm on civilian populations. Specifically, border communities reported an average 64% increase in basic food commodity pricing index values within 30 days of sanction implementation. The regression models indicate that high levels of cross-border smuggling significantly weaken the structural leverage of economic blockades (R² = 0.41, p < 0.01). The study concludes that targeted institutional asset freezes are more effective than broad trade embargoes at achieving elite compliance without decimating human security.

Keywords: Regional Sanctions, Constitutional Crises, West Africa, Democratic Governance, Trade Embargo, Human Security, Asymmetric Impact

Manuscript Timeline: Received: March 14, 2013; Revised: May 22, 2013; Accepted: June 19, 2013; Published: August 04, 2013

Citation: Okechukwu, C., & Sow, F. (2013). Evaluating the Efficacy of Regional Sanctions on Defusing Constitutional Crises in West Africa. Global Journal of Peace and Conflict Studies, 4(8), 280–288. DOI: 10.46882/2013/GJPCS/000053

Global Journal of Peace and Conflict Studies | Vol. 4, No. 7, July 2013 | pp. 271–279

DOI: 10.46882/2013/GJPCS/000052

Article Type: Original Research Paper

Title: Urban Spatial Segregation and Ethnic Violence: Analyzing Fractured Neighborhood Infrastructures in Divided Cities

Names of Authors: Goran Pasic¹, Niranjan Iyer²

Authors’ Affiliations: ¹Department of Sociology, University of Sarajevo, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina; ²Department of Humanities and Social Sciences, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Mumbai, India

Abstract: The physical partitioning of urban residential areas along rigid ethno-religious lines often creates a deceptive stability that conceals deep security flashpoints. This study evaluates how structural spatial segregation across divided municipal neighborhoods alters the probability of localized communal riots. Utilizing a high-resolution geographic information system (GIS) spatial layout framework, we cross-referenced urban segregation indices with localized riot tracking data from 2008 to 2012. The econometric outputs demonstrate that neighborhoods with sharp physical interfaces or containment walls suffer a 52% higher risk of experiencing high-intensity group clashes during political crises (p < 0.01). The field survey data from 400 households show that a complete lack of shared inter-communal commercial spaces accelerates dehumanizing out-group stereotypes. The regression metrics indicate that spatial insulation accounts for a massive drop in baseline cross-communal trust structures (Beta = -0.58, p < 0.001). This study concludes that defensive urban planning trends deepen social polarization and intensify communal violence. The paper recommends structural urban desegregation strategies.

Keywords: Spatial Segregation, Urban Violence, Ethnic Conflict, GIS Analysis, Communal Security, Inter-communal Trust, Inclusive Cities

Manuscript Timeline: Received: February 19, 2013; Revised: April 25, 2013; Accepted: May 18, 2013; Published: July 14, 2013

Citation: Pasic, G., & Iyer, N. (2013). Urban Spatial Segregation and Ethnic Violence: Analyzing Fractured Neighborhood Infrastructures in Divided Cities. Global Journal of Peace and Conflict Studies, 4(7), 271–279. DOI: 10.46882/2013/GJPCS/000052

Global Journal of Peace and Conflict Studies | Vol. 4, No. 6, June 2013 | pp. 262–270

DOI: 10.46882/2013/GJPCS/000051

Article Type: Original Research Paper

Title: Private Military Companies and Weak States: Evaluating Security Outsourcing in West African Resource Zones

Names of Authors: Kofi Mensah¹, Aris Thorne²

Authors’ Affiliations: ¹Department of History and Strategic Studies, University of Lagos, Lagos, Nigeria; ²Department of War Studies, King's College London, London, United Kingdom

Abstract: The proliferation of commercial defense contractors within weak institutional settings poses major challenges to international regulations and human security. This study investigates the operational behavior and local security impacts of private military companies tasked with guarding extractive commercial hubs. Utilizing a comparative field analysis across two post-conflict resource corridors, we analyzed defense contractor oversight audits, mining company registries, and 35 key informant interviews. The empirical findings confirm that when fragile states delegate critical defense duties to private operators, community friction incidents increase dramatically. Quantitative mapping shows that neighborhoods situated near privatized mineral sectors recorded a 44% higher rate of human rights abuses than state-policed control sectors. The regression models demonstrate that a lack of host-nation judicial jurisdiction over foreign corporate forces remains a primary structural driver of local impunity (R² = 0.55, p < 0.001). The study concludes that security outsourcing undermines national sovereignty and breaks down fragile community relations. The paper recommends establishing binding global oversight mandates.

Keywords: Private Military, Weak States, Resource Extraction, West Africa, Security Outsourcing, Human Rights, Sovereignty Breakdown

Manuscript Timeline: Received: January 11, 2013; Revised: March 08, 2013; Accepted: April 14, 2013; Published: June 05, 2013

Citation: Mensah, K., & Thorne, A. (2013). Private Military Companies and Weak States: Evaluating Security Outsourcing in West African Resource Zones. Global Journal of Peace and Conflict Studies, 4(6), 262–270. DOI: 10.46882/2013/GJPCS/000051

Global Journal of Peace and Conflict Studies | Vol. 4, No. 5, May 2013 | pp. 253–261

DOI: 10.46882/2013/GJPCS/000050

Article Type: Original Research Paper

Title: Climate Variability and Pastoralist Displacement: Analyzing Grazing Resource Tensions in the Horn of Africa

Names of Authors: Abdi Yusuf¹, Linda van der Meer²

Authors’ Affiliations: ¹Institute for Peace and Security Studies, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; ²Institute of Social Studies, Erasmus University Rotterdam, The Hague, Netherlands

Abstract: Escalating climate anomalies and the resulting environmental degradation are disrupting traditional migration paths, catalyzing resource conflicts between nomadic herders and settled farmers. This study investigates the intensifying clashes over water resources and grazing rights within the Horn of Africa. Utilizing a longitudinal geographic information system (GIS) analysis paired with 450 household surveys, we mapped rainfall anomalies, vegetation indices, and regional conflict hotspots from 2001 to 2011. The empirical models demonstrate that a 15% drop in seasonal rainfall levels below historical averages triggers a 32% increase in inter-communal rangeland clashes within a 60-day window. Spatial data confirm that conflict zones are moving toward permanent river basins due to widespread vegetation loss. The findings show that local land privatization policies weaken traditional resource-sharing agreements under ecological stress. The paper argues that handling these disputes purely as border security issues misses the underlying ecological causes. We recommend implementing flexible cross-border grazing arrangements and automated early warning weather networks to reduce resource competition.

Keywords: Climate Variability, Pastoralist Displacement, Grazing Rights, Horn of Africa, Environmental Degradation, Spatial Analysis, Resource Conflict

Manuscript Timeline: Received: December 19, 2012; Revised: February 14, 2013; Accepted: March 11, 2013; Published: May 08, 2013

Citation: Yusuf, A., & van der Meer, L. (2013). Climate Variability and Pastoralist Displacement: Analyzing Grazing Resource Tensions in the Horn of Africa. Global Journal of Peace and Conflict Studies, 4(5), 253–261. DOI: 10.46882/2013/GJPCS/000050

Global Journal of Peace and Conflict Studies | Vol. 4, No. 4, April 2013 | pp. 244–252

DOI: 10.46882/2013/GJPCS/000049

Article Type: Case Study

Title: Restorative Justice in Post-Conflict Transitions: A Case Study of Community Accountability Frameworks in Timor-Leste

Names of Authors: Xanana Da Silva¹, Sarah K. Kaufmann²

Authors’ Affiliations: ¹Faculty of Law, National University of Timor-Leste, Dili, Timor-Leste; ²Faculty of Law, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany

Abstract: The collapse of local administrative infrastructure during civil conflicts often prompts international bodies to introduce standardized judicial systems that ignore customary community-led resolution practices. This case study evaluates the restorative and retributive dynamics of the Community Reconciliation Processes (CRPs) implemented in Timor-Leste. Field research utilized direct observations of village community councils, analysis of historical reconciliation records, and 24 focus groups with local survivors. The collected data confirm that community-led restorative mechanisms successfully handled less severe offenses, bypassing logistically crippled state courts. Restorative metrics showed high rates of localized community service integration and perpetrator truth-telling. However, the study identifies significant institutional friction regarding the handling of severe human rights violations, which remain outside customary legal jurisdiction. Local survey tracking indicates that 72% of village residents valued the spiritual healing of customary processes, though anxieties regarding official national compensation registries persist. This research concludes that transitional justice models must systematically link customary mechanisms with state-level prosecutions to ensure comprehensive stability.

Keywords: Restorative Justice, Community Reconciliation, Timor-Leste, Customary Law, Transitional Justice, Survivor Protection, Accountability

Manuscript Timeline: Received: December 01, 2012; Revised: January 20, 2013; Accepted: February 15, 2013; Published: April 22, 2013

Citation: Da Silva, X., & Kaufmann, S. K. (2013). Restorative Justice in Post-Conflict Transitions: A Case Study of Community Accountability Frameworks in Timor-Leste. Global Journal of Peace and Conflict Studies, 4(4), 244–252. DOI: 10.46882/2013/GJPCS/000049

Global Journal of Peace and Conflict Studies | Vol. 4, No. 3, March 2013 | pp. 235–243

DOI: 10.46882/2013/GJPCS/000048

Article Type: Original Research Paper

Title: Economic Interdependence and Maritime Dispute Deterrence: Analyzing Trade Resiliency Across East Asian Waters

Names of Authors: Ling Wei¹, Kenji Takahashi²

Authors’ Affiliations: ¹School of International Studies, Peking University, Beijing, China; ²Graduate School of Media and Governance, Keio University, Tokyo, Japan

Abstract: The liberal peace thesis argues that deep commercial interdependence creates significant economic costs that deter state actors from initiating armed border conflicts. This study evaluates this thesis by analyzing bilateral trade flows and maritime confrontation frequencies across competitive trade corridors from 1995 to 2011. Utilizing panel data regression analysis, we modeled the relationships between shipping insurance rates, maritime trade indices, and state coast guard skirmishes. The statistical outputs demonstrate that high bilateral trade volume significantly decreases the probability of militarized ocean disputes (Beta = -0.48, p < 0.001). However, further interaction tracking reveals that asymmetric trade vulnerabilities—where one nation controls vital choke points—can reverse this deterrent effect. The findings confirm that economic ties only stabilize relations when trade vulnerabilities are balanced across both states. The study concludes that multilateral maritime safety regimes are necessary to preserve the peaceful benefits of trade interdependence.

Keywords: Economic Interdependence, Maritime Dispute, Trade Flow, Liberal Peace, Panel Data, Asymmetric Vulnerability, East Asia

Manuscript Timeline: Received: November 28, 2012; Revised: January 15, 2013; Accepted: February 10, 2013; Published: March 12, 2013

Citation: Wei, L., & Takahashi, K. (2013). Economic Interdependence and Maritime Dispute Deterrence: Analyzing Trade Resiliency Across East Asian Waters. Global Journal of Peace and Conflict Studies, 4(3), 235–243. DOI: 10.46882/2013/GJPCS/000048