Obstacles to Treaty Ratification and Implementation in Developing Countries

Generally, a treaty is a long and cumbersome process laden with obstacles and difficulties from its initiation to ratification and implementation. However, these obstacles rise to a higher level of difficulty in developing countries. The author is not suggesting that treaty ratification and implementation is an easy process in developed countries, the arguments put forth in this work is that there are more obstacles and challenges for the developing countries to contend with in the ratification and implementation of treaties than there are for developed countries. The challenges facing developing countries in the ratification and implementation of treaties will be analyzed in this work. Examples of existing treaties will be used to capture the feelings and sentiments of developing countries regarding treaty ratification and implementation. The author will analyze the challenges ranging from economic, social, and political, to corruption and lack of adequate leadership and structure in most developing countries to conclude that even in these times, certain enshrined traditional beliefs in developing countries have impaired treaty ratification and implementation. As an attorney with a doctorate in law, Victor Yisa is aware of the diverse viewpoints the topic holds for many scholars and students of law, however, in line with the arguments postulated in this work, the author will conclude that even though there appears to be an urgency for developing countries to sign treaties, unless something serious and concerted is done on the part of most developing countries, it would amount to foolishness to conceive that most developing countries will play any significant role in the ratification and implementation of some treaties.