Timing and Sequencing in Peacebuilding

Abstract This chapter discusses the factors that informed the timing and sequencing of the Nigeria’s Niger Delta amnesty programme. It argues that the amnesty programme only became feasible in 2009 because of a climate of rapprochement that followed the inauguration of a new administration. The chapter provides some evidence of sequencing in the implementation of the amnesty programme. There was extensive deployment of military instruments to stabilize the region before implementation of the amnesty programme. This was mainly to assert state sovereignty by responding to mobilizations of militant groups to weaken and further erode state legitimacy. The military option was pursued alongside dialogues mediated by Delta elite interlocutors, who helped to mobilize support for the amnesty. However, contingent factors ensured that the sequence was non-linear and complicated rather than phased. While government would have preferred the phased approach, the conflict dynamics themselves did not allow for such a controlled measure.