Nigerian President Umaru Yar'Adua may seek the assistance of the United States in resolving the internal conflicts in the north and south of this West African nation. Hundreds were killed in the north during disturbances in July 2009.
Originally uploaded by Pan-African News Wire File Photos
[analysis]
by Rafiu Ajakaye
Lagos, Jan 14, 2010 (Daily Independent/All Africa Global Media via COMTEX) -- For most observers, Nigeria and the United States have come a long way and bilateral relations is believed to have benefited both sides, particularly after the military rule gave way for civil rule 10 years ago. But the outcome of the 2007 general elections, perceived reversals in the anti-corruption crusade and alleged maltreatment of the former Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Chairman, Nuhu Ribadu, are thought to have turned the former allies against each other.
In the wake of these came the attempt by the 23-year-old Nigerian, Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, to blow up a Detroit-bound airliner on Christmas day, followed by immediate listing of Nigeria among 14 countries of interest and whose citizens will henceforth undergo stringent scrutiny en route the U.S.
Aso Rock has protested what it termed unjust inclusion of Nigeria among nations on terror watch list, just on account of the action of Abdulmutallab and despite the continued criticism that has greeted the incident and pledge by the Nigerian government of full cooperation while investigation continues.
Abdulmutallab now faces trial in the U.S. and risks between 20 to life sentence if convicted, but Nigeria insists the action of an individual should not be a yardstick to label all her citizens potential terrorists and the Senate has threatened diplomatic row if Washington fails to review the list.
Angry U.S. in turn has threatened to cancel visas issued to top Nigerian officials, aside other sanctions, forcing the Senate to backtrack on its earlier position and heated debate among foreign relations experts on the continued relevance of Nigeria to the U.S. and international community.
It was against this background that the U.S. Deputy Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, Jane Holl Lute, arrived Nigeria on Tuesday to seek partnership with Aso Rock in the fight against terrorism, amid tension between the two former allies since the December 25 incident.
The U.S. Diplomatic Mission to Nigeria said in a statement that Lute is in the country to seek partnership on global terrorism as well as appreciate Nigerians' response to the December 25 incident.
It reads: "The U.S. Government appreciates the many expressions of sympathy and support that we have received from many Nigerians. The U.S. knows that Nigerians share our shock at this deplorable attempt to take innocent lives. The visit here of the Deputy Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security is to foster, as President Obama has said, a global response to terrorist threats.
"We hope that Nigeria will be a partner with us in this important effort to combat global extremism. In today's world, it is essential that all of us are aware of and acknowledge that no country is immune from external or internal extremism or the resulting specter of terrorism."
It is almost certain that Lute met with top Aso Rock functionaries, although details of such encounter are not available as at press time.
Analysts say Luth's visit may be to extend olive branches to Nigeria, a long-standing ally of the U.S., which insists that American action was hasty and discriminatory, as well as prevent a face off with Aso Rock and its possible domino effects on American interests in sub-Saharan Africa.
Observers believe both sides stand to lose in the event of diplomatic row, with the U.S. unlikely to allow China and other emerging powers a free reign in Africa, where Nigeria is an indisputable powerhouse and contributes largest troops in continental peace missions.
Will this visit thaw the ruptured relations? Many Nigerians believe the way out for the two sides is to address issues involved.
On Tuesday, the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) said in a statement that the listing was wrong but argued that the action is a wake up call for Nigerian officials to "conduct themselves in a democratic and respective manner and to be more serious about affairs affecting the average citizens and good governance."
CISLAC Executive Director, Auwalu Musa Rafsanjani, insisted in a telephone interview "that the U.S. should differentiate Abdulmutallab from the other Nigerians, in terms of visa issuance and border post screening. All citizens should be treated on their individual merit, instead of a blanket punitive action."
He added: " We appeal to Nigerians in the Diaspora to shun all acts that are capable of ridiculing the entire country; especially they should avoid Internet scam, credit card fraud and other crimes. We believe that the U.S. reaction to the attempted plane bombing was due to the seeming collapse of governance, lack of leadership and the failure to institute genuine legal framework for electoral reform and the fight against corruption. Farouq is just a watershed for the Americans to express their anger over the poor governance and the hypocrisy of the political elites.
"CISLAC also frown at the double speak on the side of the members of the National Assembly on the attempted bombing of the Detroit bound North West air plane by Abdulmutallab. Many of them have suddenly realised that they will now be subjected to what average Nigerians have always found themselves in the areas of screening and visa handling.
"We want the U.S. to impose a limited sanction on visa issuance to those public office holders who loot our treasury so that they can concentrate on policies and legislation that can lead to the improvement of the life of citizens. Such an action will stop them from foreign medical treatment and foreign schooling for their children, so that they can now think about better health facilities and better education for the country."
Rafsanjani said for Nigeria to be seen as a serious country, its government should look at the Niger Delta militancy, kidnapping in the South East, OPC ethnic killings in the South West, ***Boko Haram***, ***Kala Kato*** and Almajiri syndrome in parts of the North, as well as armed robbery and unemployment as serious social problems that can be collectively tackled if the country must progress.
"The Government's response to fighting corruption in Nigeria is very suspicious and dubious .We must show more commitment to dealing with corruption, indiscipline and restoration of rule of law and patriotism in Nigeria," he added.
Professor Jibril Aminu, Senate Committee Chairman on Foreign Affairs, said the fight against terrorism being waged by the U.S. could only be successive only if the primary issues are resolved.
The Professor of Medicine insisted that Nigeria should not be blamed for the alleged terrorist action of Abdulmutallab, given that his father walked up to the U.S. Embassy to report his son's misadventure - something Aminu says "showed that Nigeria is a great and honourable country with honourable people even at their own expense. How many people could have done that?"
But he said nations, particularly the U.S., must reassess their policies to win the global war on terror.
His words: "Let me emphasise that the level of terrorism is becoming a very worrying thing to the international community. As panacea to this growing spate of global insecurity, I think that nations of the world should re-examine their foreign policies. These terrorism attacks do not happen in a vacuum. I always maintain that no matter how nasty terrorism is, in all it is a reminder that we should also look at policies. I believe that the most lasting solution to all these disgraceful acts of terrorism is a political solution. Honestly, we need political solution to solve these long standing issues facing the world."
Copyright Daily Independent. Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com).
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