Recidivist Sovereign Disregard for International Law: Re-Assessment of a Beginning Without an End

The Nigerian Society of International Law (NSIL) convened its 47th Annual Conference on October 13th and 14th, 2026 at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA). The conference's theme, "From Obligations to Implementation: Re-assessing the Efficacy of International Law in Contemporary International Relations," sought to address the growing disregard for international law.

The NSIL highlighted three perspectives on this issue: (1) a visible increase in disrespect for international law, often done with malicious intent; (2) the debate between Monism and Dualism in international law, which is relevant to the theme; and (3) the need to re-assess the efficacy of international law in today's global relations.

The conference addressed the rise of recidivist disregard for international law, particularly in light of various instances where global leaders have challenged or bypassed legally-binding frameworks. Examples include the Israeli-American military aggression on Iran, the abduction of President Nicolas Maduro by U.S. President Donald Trump, and Russia's intervention in Ukraine.

These acts demonstrate a conscious decision to disregard international law, with implications for the rule of pacta sunt servanda, which mandates the implementation of agreements. The NSIL emphasized the importance of assessing the efficacy of international law in the face of such disregard and the potential implications for the global legal system.