AN EXAMINATION OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE PRINCIPLE OF NON-INTERVENTION UNDER INTERNATIONAL LAW

The principle of non-intervention has its origin as far back as medieval period. It is a well-established principle of customary international law. Its purpose is to limit illegal involvement of one country in the affairs of others in the ordinary course of relationship among civilized nations. That is to say, states are sovereign and free from intervention. Sovereignty is what protects preserves and ensures non-intervention in matters within the domestic jurisdiction of states. Hence, the objective of this paper is to trace the development of the principle of non-intervention visa-a-visa the doctrine of sovereignty. A doctrinal method of research was adopted. Having examined its development, it was found that the principle seeks to prohibit all forms of illegal interventions in the domestic affairs of states and concluded by making recommendations.