THE ROLE OF NIGERIAN FEMALE SOLDIERS IN PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS IN AFRICA: A CASE STUDY OF SUDAN DARFUR REGION, 2008-2016

ABSTRACT The subject matter of the research is the role of Nigerian female soldiers in peacekeeping operations in Africa: A case study of Sudan Darfur 2008-2016. The key objective of the study is to assess the importance of female soldiers participating in peacekeeping operations in Africa. The research consisted of both primary and secondary data as the main sources of data. Primary data was obtained from interviews conducted between 20 participants of the Adekunle Fajuyi Cantonment, Ibadan. Secondary data was obtained through in depth study of the findings of various scholars who have ventured in this topic of women and peacekeeping operations especially in Darfur. The data collected on the findings of other scholars was used as the foundations of the findings of this study. The theoretical framework used by this research is the Radical feminist theory and Feminist Security Theory. The method of data analysis used in this study is the mixed method data analysis. The data collected was analysed using simple percentage approach and the use of tables. The key findings from the research established that women peacekeepers play important roles in peacekeeping in Darfur. The findings reveal that female soldiers play critical roles in peacekeeping, including conflict prevention, early warning, mediation, peace talks, and post-conflict peacebuilding identifying of early warning signs of conflicts and conflict prevention, peacekeeping and peace support operations, peace processes like peace talks, mediation and signing of peace treaties and post-conflict processes like peace building activities. The key recommendation of the research is that the UN should continue calling for the increase of women peacekeepers in order to fully integrate a gender perspective in its operations.