HISTORICAL PEACE ACCORDS ABANDONED: LESSONS FROM THE NIGERIAN AND RWANDAN CONFLICTS

Abstract

This paper explores the long-term political, social, and security implications of abandoning historical peace agreements, using the Aburi Accord (1967, Nigeria) and the Arusha Accords (1993, Rwanda) as case studies. Both agreements, initially intended to prevent conflict and foster inclusive governance, were ultimately disregarded or only partially implemented, with catastrophic consequences. The study adopts a comparative qualitative methodology, drawing on archival sources, scholarly analyses, and interviews with experts and stakeholders to assess how the collapse of these accords contributed to civil war, genocide, and enduring instability. In the Nigerian context, the failure of the Aburi Accord accelerated the descent into the Biafran War, costing over a million lives and entrenching regional distrust. Similarly, the derailment of the Arusha Accords played a significant role in the lead-up to the 1994 Rwandan Genocide, undermining a fragile power-sharing arrangement between the Hutu-dominated government and the Tutsi-led Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF). By analyzing the political dynamics, elite interests, and international responses surrounding both agreements, this paper argues that the failure to honor peace accords not only erodes public trust but also sets a precedent for impunity and political violence. The study concludes by drawing lessons for contemporary peace processes, emphasizing the need for sustained international oversight, inclusive negotiations, and mechanisms that ensure accountability and adherence to agreed frameworks. These findings are pertinent for policymakers, conflict resolution practitioners, and scholars concerned with post-conflict transitions and durable peacebuilding.