An Appraisal of the Historical Development of the African Response to Extradition
The research work delves into the evolution of African countries' approach to extradition over the course of history.Extradition, the legal process of surrendering individuals accused of crimes to another jurisdiction, has undergonesignificant changes in Africa, influenced by regional cooperation efforts. The study provides an in-depth examinationof the significant events in the development of extradition laws across the African continent. The impacts of WorldWar II on extradition is also scrutinized, highlighting how political motivations sometimes influenced extraditiondecisions, leading to contentious cases and strained international relations. Additionally, the study examines howregional organisations such as the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the South AfricanDevelopment Commission (SADC), and also how African Union (A.U) in general work to promote integration andcooperation within the region on legal issues, including extradition. The work further analyses recent efforts tomodernize extradition laws in some African countries, aligning them with international standards and practices.This has been facilitated by increased cooperation with international organizations, enhancing legal and operationalcapacities in extradition matters. This research study extensively analyses the historical development of the Africanresponse to extradition in Africa. It sheds light on the evolving approaches, challenges, and regional cooperationefforts concerning extradition practices on the continent. The findings contribute to a deeper understanding of howextradition has shaped and been shaped by Africa's legal, political, and social landscape throughout history.Keyword: AU, ECOWAS, Extradition, Cooperation, Crimes, SADC.