Nigeria-South Africa Relations and Africa's Security

Abstract

Nigeria and South Africa are key actors in Africa's security discourse. Nigeria is the obvious leader in the West African region as South Africa holds sway in Southern Africa. Both nations have projected sufficient power in their spheres of influence to demonstrate their capability for tackling issues of security, not only in their regions but Africa at large. The extent to which the duo can go in succeeding to address the continent's myriad security challenges depend on their ability to cooperate and work together rather than engage in a contentious relationship as has been exhibited intermittently over the years and more recently in the deportation saga by both nations. This study focuses on the love-hate history that has characterized the relationship between these countries and its implication for security in Africa. It concludes that an unhealthy rivalry between the two nations that drive Africa's security agenda may delay or derail the hope of ushering the continent into a period of peace and security that will enhance its development as envisaged in the dream of an African renaissance.