The president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and ECOWAS Chairman, Bola Ahmed Tinubu after the deadline of the one week ultimatum given to the Military Coup Government led by General Abdulrahman Tchiani on July 26, has with some other democratic leaders of West Africa region release troops to Niger Republic to restore Civil rule.
Recall that Mohammed Bazon the Niger’s Civilian and democratic President who was over thrown in Military tunta has been kept in Military detention on the charges of incompetence.
As claimed, they wanted to “put an end to the regime amid a deteriorating security situation and bad governance”. This action is a threat to democracy across Africa and the global village at large.
Since Mali’s Army takeover in August 2020, several neigbhouring countries have seen a similar pattern emerge. Burkina Faso saw two coups in just eight months January 24 2022, Liet. col. Paul- Henri Sandaogo ousted in 30th Of September by Captain Ibrahim Traore, Sudan President Omar Al-Bashir, out-threw in 2019 and imposed Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok of a power sharing body of Military and civilian, before October 2022 fight between Army and Parliamentary rapid support which saw the Prime Minister and his Family detained led by Gen. Abdul Fattah-al-Buhram.
Chad which remains under Military rule since its long President Idriss Deby was killed in fighting against rebels in the north of the country. In April 2021, his son, General Mahamat Idriss Deby, leads the country as the Interim Head of State , a move that is against the country’s constitution. In 2022 when the authority elapsed, a two year extra triggered protests and military crackdown.
Guinea’s coup began 5th September 2001 when President Alpha Conde was over thrown by the leader of the Army, Col. Mamady Dounbouya. While ECOWAS Agave sanction deadline of 25th April for reinstating civilian Rule, the former French Legionnaire said;” The Army had no choice but to take action against corruption, human rights abuses and economic errors under President Conde. This shows their support to the coup.
These African Countries experiencing coup are all former French Colonies and they are as well forming alliance with Russia led by a dictator whose influence is felt across the Globe. Valdmir Putin. These countries are moving from their former Western allies toward Russia influence grows stronger on daily basis.There is an ideological balance between this Military junta and Putin. Considering their recent visit to Saint Petersburg and the withdrawal of French Military from places like Mali and Ibrahim Traore ousted of French Troops to look at Russia for support.
As a matter of urgency, the Nigerian Government led by Tinubu, should desist from involving our personnel in any Military intervention to Niger Republic coup because it is not his number one responsibility. Though Africa is the center piece of Nigeria foreign policy, however the protection of Life and property of Nigerians supercede its international duty. Military wise, none of Africa state supporting Niger coup can withstand Nigeria force. However, Mahatma Gandhi said: “We know who we are but we know not who we might be”. I said this because of the warnings issued Tinubu by the joint statement of Burkina Faso and Mali. The two countries currently experiencing coup emphasized that any Military force against their neigbhour , Niger, would result to a declaration of war in the West Africa region , the reason I made the quote above.
The alliance of these African countries with Russia is enough to dessuade Nigeria from going to war with Niger. The Ukraine War that started since March 2022 after Russia’s declaration of Dunask and Lunask as independent state , a state in both Easterb and Southern part of Ukraine has led to lost of life and property and as well affect the Global Market.
Considering the separatist group IPOB, Oduduwa republic moves whose interest has been secession from the Republic of Nigeria. If the Russia and their allies grant them independence, their Military base will be built like they did in Crimea, Linask and Dunask, that is capable of making peace become a thing of history in Nigeria. In the same View, The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), Northern Senators Forum and Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) etc, sees a war with Niger as war against Northern Nigeria.This could be traced to their relationship with border closeness. Atleast seven core Northern states directly share boundaries with Niger from Kebbi in the north-west, to Borno in the north-west, Jigawa, Katsina, Sokoto, Yobe, Zamfara, covering a vast distance of over 1,100kilometers.
Because of the close affinity these border states have with Nigeriens, Former President Muhammad Buhari constructed a road linking Daura with Niger. Deployment of war won’t work because someone whose relative is in Niger will be reluctant to fight his bro. Why we say it is not in all case you implore force, we are also trying to avoid collateral demand, the reason we say Tinubu should tread with caution. Recounting the millions waste and live lost on Liberian peace keeping, the lost still tell on the family of the deceased. Tinubu, we deserve to live. Say no to war.
– Bayere Oluwakemi Rachael
Prince Abubakar Audu University (PAAU) Anyigba, Kogi State
