The Smart Option Nigeria Should Tread On Niger Republic, With These Glaring Scenarios
The Oasis Reporters
August 4, 2023
On this military intervention by the Guards Brigade in the Republic of Niger, Nigeria should tread with utmost caution, despite the breaking of diplomatic relations.
Even when the civilians were in charge in Niger, their love for Nigeria was not so robust.
Imagine that in 2019, the China National Petroleum Corporation and the Republic of Niger signed an agreement to build a new crude oil export pipeline from Agadem to the Atlantic coast in the Benin Republic. Notice how the pipeline bypasses Nigeria.
Even at Zinder, just about thirty minutes drive to Maigatari in Jigawa State, having the pipeline run through Nigeria to Lagos port would have saved costs for Niger Republic. Yet they chose to bypass Nigeria in their access to the Atlantic coast.
That shows how they resent Nigeria’s high handed and perceived corrupt attitude to business.
In 2019, the China National Petroleum Corporation and the Republic of Niger signed to build a new crude oil export pipeline from Agadem to the Atlantic coast in the Benin Republic. Notice how the pipeline bypasses Nigeria. pic.twitter.com/SRmkJIk5o3
— Kalu Aja (@FinPlanKaluAja1) August 3, 2023
Now under the military, the mockery against Nigeria is clear, as youths in Niamey, the Nigerien capital took to the streets, mocking President Bola Tinubu, a very unafrican behavior. This is clear that Nigeria is currently unwelcome should it choose to intervene militarily.
BREAKING: Niger Republic Cuts Off Ties With Nigeria As Peace Talk Failshttps://t.co/YSxGFTJCE4
— Daily Trust (@daily_trust) August 4, 2023
And the snub of Nigeria’s former head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar.
The Diplomatic Shuttle led by Ex Head of State, Gen Abdulsalami Abubakar to Niamey was initially seen as “commendable”.
Abdulsalami, Other ECOWAS Delegation Members Leave Niger Without Meeting Coup Leader Or Deposed President | Sahara Reporters https://t.co/NQb7GYVQan pic.twitter.com/s0D9419Qv9
— Sahara Reporters (@SaharaReporters) August 4, 2023
Yet Abdulsalami Abubakar was not granted any audience, even when Niger Republic is celebrating its independence from France tells the story of a grim determination.
Happy 63rd Independence Day to Niger Republic.
— Senator Shehu Sani (@ShehuSani) August 3, 2023
Fete De L’Independence Du Niger. pic.twitter.com/QoJGv621Pg
If indeed Nigeria tampered with the power supply to Niger Republic, it then means that Nigeria has really pressed the trigger of the anger of the Nigerienne people.
Eazi Flo @trankwility says that “Nigeria lacks international diplomacy technique/skills. We jump and think later. We need to speak less and think of the long term implications of our actions. Benchmark our activities and negotiation along international best practices. We can not afford to be hostile to our neighbours”.
Currently, the French are evacuating their nationals from Niger. The party seems to be over. The EU and the Americans are doing the same.
See why the Niger military is angry.
"We often located terrorists, but when we asked to rush to kill them, Pres.
— 𝓞𝓷¥€𝓪𝓷𝓲 𝓚𝓪𝓵𝓾 (@Onyeani_Kalu) August 3, 2023
Bazoum told us to ask permission from the French forces first.
But our soldiers were falling on the fronts and France did nothing.
We decided to do the same as Mali &
Burkina Faso."
©Maj. Gen. Tchiani
Admittedly, that may not cover the entirety of all the reasons.
France was Niger’s colonizers. The African Country has Uranium, of which they may initially not have known the value.
But France knew. And they had the knowledge to mine and harness it. So, they get it for a song and use it to power electricity all over France, selfishly while Niger Republic lives in pitch darkness and nauseating poverty. Thus France itself, feeling high up and superior, believed that Niger deserves to stay only at the bottom.
If only France had extended sufficient goodwill by helping Niger power electricity and water to make the vast country a super agricultural state, perhaps there would have been harmony.
But Nigerienne children beg for food and the condition of women is vastly undignified. That is a source for latent anger in the people.
River Niger flows through Niger Republic before cascading into Nigeria. In Nigeria’s finest moment of diplomacy, it decided to construct a dam at Kainji, then promised to share electricity with Niger. A move of win-win diplomatic cooperation as Niger Republic is expected to let the river flow unhindered.
If Nigeria breaches that rule of engagement, Niger would see its vulnerability and a superpower country like China can move in under it’s roads and belt policy to help the country construct its dam across the river Niger and the trickle to Kainji dam would dry up.
That would mean reduced electricity in Nigeria and the redundancy of its dam.
China would mine uranium from Niger Republic as its pay. Nigeria loses, France loses.
Such is the price of selfish and short sighted thinking.
Advice?
Nigeria would gain little or nothing from attacking Niger Republic in order to dislodge the military.
Greg Abolo
gregabolo@gmail.com
