Civil-Military Relations in Nigeria and Tanzania: a Comparative, Historical Analysis
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Civil-Military Relations in Nigeria and Tanzania: A comparative, historical analysis Ragnhild Hoel Thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts (International Studies) at the Stellenbosch University Supervisor: Prof. P.J. McGowan December 2008 Declaration By submitting this thesis electronically, I declare that the entirety of the work contained therein is my own, original work, that I am the owner of the copyright thereof (unless to the extent explicitly otherwise stated) and that I have not previously in its entirety or in the part submitted it for obtaining any qualification. Date: 6 November 2008 Copyright © 2008 Stellenbosch University II Abstract Civil-military relations play an important role in Africa as these relations strongly influence the processes of development and democratisation. This thesis examines civil-military relations in Nigeria and Tanzania, as these two countries have experienced very different ‘patterns of influence, control, and subordination between the armed forces and the wider social environment’. Most theories of civil-military relations have been formulated by Western scholars and this study investigates if these theories are applicable to Nigeria and Tanzania. As only two cases are under focus, this thesis does not aim to dismiss any of the theories or to develop new theory; rather, I suggest new aspects and factors that should be included when studying African civil-military relations. The theoretical framework includes theories by Huntington, Finer, and Janowitz, as well as theories by more recent scholars. After presenting the history of civil- military relations in Nigeria and Tanzania, I analyse the theories’ validity in the two cases by evaluating five hypotheses based on these theoretical frameworks. The thesis concludes that even though the prevailing theories contain factors that are very important in the two countries and in Africa in general, it is important to keep the specificity of African countries in mind when studying their civil-military relations. The domestic context and internal factors in both Nigeria and Tanzania are very significant. The importance of identity and the economic situation should especially receive more attention in theories addressing civil-military relations in Africa. There is a strong interrelationship between the various theories, and as a result a holistic approach including all factors, actors and aspects should be used when studying civil-military relations in Africa and elsewhere. III Samevatting Burgerlike-militêre verhoudings speel ’n belangrike rol in Afrika as gevolg van die feit dat hierdie verhoudinge die prosesse van ontwikkeling en demokratisering sterk beïnvloed. Hierdie tesis ondersoek burgerlike-militêre verhoudings in Nigerië en Tanzanië, juis omdat hierdie twee lande twee verskillende ‘patrone van invloed, beheer en ondergeskiktheid’ ondergaan het. Die meerderheid van burgerlike-militêre teorieë is geformuleer deur Westerse geleerdes en hierdie studie ondersoek dus of hierdie teorieë werklik geskik is vir Nigerië en Tanzanië. Omdat daar slegs gefokus word op twee gevallestudies, is hierdie tesis se doelstelling nie om enige van hierdie teorieë af te maak nie of om ʼn nuwe teorie te ontwikkel nie; maar ek stel eerder nuwe aspekte en faktore voor wat ingesluit behoort te word in die studie van burgerlike-militêre verhoudings in Afrika. Die teoretiese raamwerk sluit in teorieë deur Huntington, Finer en Janowitz, sowel as teorieë deur meer moderne en onlangse akademici. Eerstens sal die geskiedenis van burgerlik-militêre verhoudings in Nigerië en Tanzanië bespreek word, waarna ek die teorieë se geldigheid sal analiseer deur gebruik te maak van vyf hipoteses wat gebaseer is op hierdie teoretiese raamwerke. Hierdie tesis kom tot die gevolgtrekking dat alhoewel die heersende teorieë faktore bevat wat baie belangrik is vir die twee lande en veral Afrika, is dit steeds belangrik om die spesifieke hoedanigheid van elke Afrika land in gedagte te hou wanneer hul burgerlike-militêre verhoudings gebestudeer word. Die plaaslike konteks en interne fokus in beide Nigerië en Tanzanië is betekenisvol. Die belangrikheid van identiteit en die ekonomiese situasie moet veral aandag geniet in teorieë betrekkende burgerlike-militêre verhoudings in Afrika. Daar is ʼn sterk verwantskap tussen die verskeie teorieë, wat dus daartoe lei dat ʼn holistiese benadering gebruik moet word wat alle faktore, akteurs en aspekte insluit om sodoende burgerlike-militêre verhoudings in Afrika en ook elders suksesvol te bestudeer. IV Acknowledgements This study would not have been possible without all the help and support I have received from my supervisor, Prof. P.J. McGowan. I deeply appreciate the sincere comments and feedback he has provided me throughout the work on this thesis. Thank you very much. I would also like to thank me dear friends Graeme Callister, Daniel R. Alvarenga and Anja G. Myrann who have supported me throughout the work and who have commented on my various drafts. My gratitude also extends to my beloved friend Bernice Labuschagne for all her help with practical issues. V Table of Contents Chapter One: Introduction .........................................................................................1 Introduction ...................................................................................................................................... 1 Background and rationale................................................................................................................. 1 Nigeria and Tanzania ........................................................................................................................ 2 Problem statement ............................................................................................................................ 3 Hypotheses........................................................................................................................................ 3 Objectives of study ........................................................................................................................... 4 Scope of study .................................................................................................................................. 5 Research design ................................................................................................................................ 6 Methodology..................................................................................................................................... 7 Limitations and delimitations ........................................................................................................... 8 Structure of study.............................................................................................................................. 8 Conclusion........................................................................................................................................ 9 Chapter Two: Literature Review..............................................................................10 Introduction .................................................................................................................................... 10 Theories of civil-military relations ................................................................................................. 10 The African context ........................................................................................................................ 13 Definitions ...................................................................................................................................... 16 Dichotomy versus continuum......................................................................................................... 17 Civilian supremacy and military intervention ................................................................................ 18 Tanzania.......................................................................................................................................... 20 Nigeria ............................................................................................................................................ 22 Conclusion...................................................................................................................................... 23 VI Chapter Three: Nigeria..............................................................................................25 Introduction .................................................................................................................................... 25 The Nigerian context ...................................................................................................................... 25 Civil-military relations ................................................................................................................... 27 The First Republic....................................................................................................................................................28 1966-1975: Coups and Civil War .............................................................................................................................31 1975-1979: Coup and transition to civilian rule.......................................................................................................34 The Second Republic................................................................................................................................................35