Bandits return to the West African coast

 ©️ The Guardian

Nigeria’s new president has taken it upon himself to push the ECOWAS towards intervening in Niger’s domestic politics following the overthrow of the sitting president. There are claims that the intention is to restore democracy but whose benefit would that be for? Nigeria is not in a position to mandate democracy in Niger nor can it tell the people of Niger what government they should have in place. To date there are reports of Nigeriens taking to the streets to support the coup and express their opposition to any external intervention. 

It remains to be seen why newly elected President Tinubu chose to push for an intervention in Niger following the coup. Such intervention is quite unprecedented in the history of the ECOWAS. Nigeria has enormous and enduring problems which one would have thought would be more than enough to preoccupy a newly elected president. However, intervention in Niger is another dubious proposed action initiated by the new president. There have been very few indications of the new regime getting to grips with Nigeria’s social and economic travails to date. 

There is an argument going around that Tinubu is pushing for intervention at the behest of certain Western interests. Maybe this might be a way to gain favour for his administration given the major questions that have arisen about his election. It is also possible that he might be trying win some personal points to counteract the damaging rumours about his past that continue to be trumpeted. Whatever his reason are the possibility that he is doing the bidding of Western powers is another blow to his integrity and credibility. 

The idea of some African leaders interfering in the internal affairs of other African countries does not sit well in the best of circumstances. However, the possibility of it being done to serve foreign interests would be an outrage which harks back to the days of the Slave Trade. Africans selling out their kith and kin for distilled alcohol and glass beads. This isn’t a prospect that anyone wants for the continent.