Niger Crisis:The Weah’s Observation

The current President of Liberia and a renowned footballer,  George Opong Weah,  is widely quoted as saying: “As long as ECOWAS tolerates institutional coups that allow lifetime presidents, there will always be military coups”. This remarks of George Opong Weah’s elucidates not only the causes of coup d’etat in parts of Africa, it also accounts for why military coup lingers. Inherent in George Opong Weah’s observation is the attitude of sit-tight leaders where  some African leaders hand over government to their sons before and after death which does not speak well of internal democracy as well as good governance in the polity. Be that as it may, the citizens of each country should stand up against calling any coup d’etat, political rascality and results of unfair and manipulated elections the will of God. This is where the observation of Uruanganya Journalist and Novelist, Eduardo Hughes Gleano (3rd September 1940 – 13th April 2015) comes alive when he said: “Most of wars or Military coups or invasions are done in the name of democracy against democracy.
In other words, military coups and politicians would always allude to bad governance and widespread corruption as reason for coup d’etat and  change of government. Notwithstanding, the coup d’etat that took place in the west African state of Niger has been vehemently condemned by the Economic Community Of West  African States (ECOWAS) headed by Nigeria’s President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and has approved immediate stand-by force while at the same time not ruling out negotiations and all other options off the table. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had confessed that the avalanche of initial economic sanctions and threat of war did not yield the required and expected result insisting that removal or otherwise over throw of democratically elected leadership in the region would not be tolerated. Better still, this is the position of US, AU, UN, and EU. It is common knowledge that peace moves by Nigerian former Head of State, Abdusalmi Abubakar  and Islamic leader, the Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar, were not received by the military junta and the coupists.
However, the former CBN Governor Sanusi Ado Bayaro and the 14th Emir of Kano was received for which Alhaji Sanusi had already briefed Mr President on his individual mission to the Republic of Niger for dialogue. The acceptance of the former Emir of Kano and earlier rejection of Sultan of Sokoto and former Head of State, Abdusalmi Abubakar, has been given divergent interpretations. Besides, it is common knowledge that the people of Niger and Nigeria share cultural, religious and family ties
In fact, it is worthy of note to discover that sovme Nigerians share dual citizenship along seven (7) states of Nigeria namely Jigawa, Sokoto, Kebbi, Kastina, Borno etc. This is why most Nigerians object to ECOWAS choosing the option of war with Niger because those who believe in this school of thought share the view that the two nations are interwoven, sharing boundaries with each other. Moreso, porous borders at most parts of northern Nigeria have not helped the fight against insurgency, Boko Haram, proliferation of arms, kidnapping and banditry.
Those against this school of thought say ECOWAS’ position does not amount to Nigeria or President Tinubu declaring war against Republic of Niger by himself as President Tinubu. It must be accentuated that Nigeria is not going to war with Niger or President Tinubu dragging or imposing upon ECOWAS war against Republic of Niger. In all of these, it may be pertinent to ask the question; what is the foreign policy of Nigeria?. Again what does Nigeria stand to gain when viewed against the experience in Liberia, Sierra Leone and even earlier role of Nigeria in the fight against apartheid in South Africa? Is Nigeria playing a Big Brother role in the regional bloc and indeed Africa?. These are some of the questions agitating the minds of Nigerians even as  National Assembly has opposed the likely option of war particularly on the cost implication of  the debt profile of Nigeria as well as the depreciating value of the Naira, including the challenges associated with the removal of fuel subsidy. Moreso, there are serious economic issues to consider in the affairs and situation in Niger.
For instance, speaking in an interview with journalists, Colonel Hasan Stanlabo (Rrd) states thus: “Niger is the only country in the world where the Naira is spent as a legal tender. Colonel Stanlabo continues: “Nigeria should be careful with the urging of Western powers to prompt her  to support the option of war.  Interestingly, France has economic interest in Niger and French West Africa. Specifically, France remains a major importer and investor in uranium in Niger and so is the United States of America. Worse still, France policy of assimilation does not allow France as a nation to live Niger and indeed West Africa to truly be independent. To this end, Niger and French West Africa still use  AFC Franchise as the official currency while it deploys and maintains  military presence to protect its investments in Niger, Burkina Faso  and Guinea Bissau. Nigeria as a nation should count the cost of keeping a troop for war in Niger than to fund its troops in northern Nigeria to curtail insecurity It is equally important for Nigeria to embrace  decolonisation in Africa by leading diplomacy and sustain its Big-Brother role.
In all, the option of war is odd and should be discarded. French General Napoleon Bonaparte once said’’, Do you know what astounds me? It is the impotence of force to establish anything,  in  the end, force is conquerd by the mind’’. It is in fact heart warming and indeed pleasing to  hear that the military junter in Niger,Tchetini has made a U-turn by accepting to dialogue with officials of  ECOWAS; despite threat to prosecute deposed President Muhammad Basoum.

By: Baridorn Sika