Is the US a friend of Nigeria? 

Late General Charles De Gaulle, France’s leader from 1940–1968 is known to have said “friendships are not constant, only interests are”. France has applied this with Nigeria on several occasions. When Nigeria stood up against France’s test of its nuclear bombs in the south of Algeria, she was vexed and showed it immediately when an opportunity manifested.  

The Nigerian civil war was retribution time. When it started, France stood by the Biafran secessionists’ forces of Colonel Ojukwu. Contrary to what some French propagandists may want the world to think as reason behind their support to the short live Biafran Republic, it was done as vengeance for Nigeria’s call for an end to nuclear tests in the Algerian Sahara desert. Apart from giving her moral support to the Biafrans, France asked some of its former African colonies to support Biafra, and those who answered the call were Gabon and Ivory Coast.  

Interestingly Ahmadou Ahidjo, Cameroon’s president at the time, who had all reasons to support the call made by De Gaulle ignored the appeal. It has to be pointed out that, it was a courageous decision because, France was supporting his regime to quell the rebellion of the UPC* in French-speaking Cameroon. In taking the audacious decision to back the Federal government of General Jack Yakubu Gowon at the expense of France, Ahidjo demonstrated a rare pan African solidarity for a French-speaking black African leader whose political fortitude depended on the dictates of a colonial power.   

It is claimed in some quarters that, the bold decision of Ahidjo was greatly appreciated by General Gowon; hence, he decided to cede the now disputed Bakassi territory to Cameroon. And the officilisation of the deal took place in the town of Maroua, provincial capital of the Far North province of Cameroon in 1975. Concerning the Nigerian civil war, it might have ended some 35 years ago, but, it is still creating remorse in the hearts of some minor and major actors. One of them is Albert Bernard Bongo Odimba, President of the Republic of Gabon who has since expressed his profound regrets for having supported the Biafra (1). 

France’s bumpy relations with Nigeria 

In keeping with the logic of General De Gaulle, France showed its teeth to Nigeria again when the latter decided not only to bankroll a regional peace keeping operation initiated under the banner of ECOMOG*, but took the leadership. France’s reaction was motivated by its fear that Nigeria’s influence in Liberia and Sierra Leon could eventually spill over into its former colonies in the region.  In spite those instances, France’s relationship with Nigeria has been cordiale, and it has been demonstrated by France investing more in Nigeria than in all French-speaking African countries put together. And in the territorial dispute over the ownership of the Bakassi peninsular, France seem to have stock to the logic of its hero, General De Gaulle, by standing on the side of Nigeria (2).  

However, if the latter assertion is correct, then France’s support for Nigeria might have been done at the expense of Cameroon. Nevertheless a thorough examination of facts on the ground reveals a subtle support for Nigeria, while at the same time, Paris is or was mounting pressures on Abuja and Yaoundé to stick to a negotiated settlement. This might have been interpreted as tacit support for Nigeria from Yaoundé.  

The behaviour of Paris officially seems to have irritated some hawkish individuals within power circles in Yaoundé, who mindful of their incapacity to defeat Nigeria militarily, wanted France to support them to achieve a military victory. But it has to be pointed out though that, while France has called for a negotiated settlement, it has nonetheless still honoured the defence pact, linking it with its former colonies or colony in the case of Cameroon by sending military experts to Yaoundé. Moreover, it also dispatched soldiers on the disputed territory to back up Cameroonian Armed Forces on the ground.  

US & Nigeria’s ambiguous relationships 

But where does the US stand in its relationship with Nigeria and on the conflict with Cameroon over Bakassi? To say the least, the US has been oscillating between emotions and its vital interests in its rapport with Nigeria. So it may appear. Nonetheless, a thick fog seems to have fallen over the Nigerian US relationship, when on the 16^th of February 2006, Jendayi Frazer, US under secretary for African affairs inaugurated in Yaoundé, Cameroon, a new $ 50 million US embassy building. Besides the inaugurations, an Open sky or skies treaty between Cameroon and the US was signed.  

Furthermore, there are plans by the US government to open new USAID offices in Yaoundé with the aim to cover and coordinate activities in the sub region. According to Cameroonian papers that expressed for ones views of the majority, it was a great day for both countries. Additionally, the state owned Cameroon Tribune and the privately owned The Post newspapers of that day reported that, the US ambassador to Cameroon said; the US was in Cameroon to stay. Whatever that means remains to the author of the alleged phrase to clarify things. 

Contrary to France, the US has openly declared that, they are on the side of Cameroon in the territorial dispute with Nigeria over Bakassi (3). This is a clear proof that the US has chosen Cameroon over Nigeria. Secondly, Nigeria’s National Flag carrier, Virgin Nigeria has for some time now been labouring to obtain permission to fly directly to the US, but thus far several hurdles have been erected by US aviation authorities. Strangely, the opportunity has been offered to Cameroon that has little or no interest in operating direct flights from her shores to the US.  

Waving the flag of instability  

Has the US any founded reason to play the Judas with Nigeria? Yes, it may appear to some strategists in Washington DC. Those who hold this school of thought, points to the apparent instabilities witnessed in Nigeria, principally the recurrent hostage takings and crisis taking place in the Niger Delta. On the other hand, Cameroon their new friend in region deserves to get some scrutiny. And the questions on the lips of those who thought Nigeria could count on the US are many. One of them could be; is Cameroon more stable than Nigeria? Yes, the proponents for alternative partners in the region would advance.  

But there is need for the strategists in Washington DC to nuance deeply their confidence in their new pal. Ivory Coast may be a good case study for them. It is important to note that, most French-speaking African countries or partly French-speaking as it is the case with Cameroon, are stable not because the native rulers are paragons in administration, but more because of the presence of France.  

The Uncertain future of America’s new Pal  

Although Cameroon is appealing to the Americans presently, they have to be reminded that, it is because France is making strong contributions toward peace and stability of that country hence it is what it is today. Any change of policy in Paris might result in mayhem in Cameroon. It is an aspect that has to be taken into account by the Americans. Conversely, perhaps a secret deal has already been struck on the back of Cameroonians by the two Western powers once again. The supposed deal may stipulate that, France will continue to oversee the stability and thus maintain the political status quo, while the US uses the land as a base for its operations in the region.  

If what this author is speculating turns out to be true, then the Franco-American deal on Cameroon is a sort of 50/50 deal or win-win arrangements wherein the interest of ordinary Cameroonians have been ignored. The current destabilisation of the SDF, Cameroon’s largest and most organised opposition political party allegedly supported by the US with the prospect of political alternation in Cameroon could be a sign that, France have gotten the green light from the Americans to stall any prospect of political change.     

Hence in anticipation of any leaks, the US government is forcing Paul Biya to carry out cosmetic battles against corruption and the same US is harvesting positive public relations in the opinion of abused Cameroonians. But duplicity doesn’t last longer. Sooner or later any filthy deal between the US and France in a bid to maintain the status quo in Cameroon for their own selfish gains shall be divulge.   Meanwhile, in the long term, America’s investments in whatever area they are planning in Cameroon could be a perilous venture into the unknown. Whereas come what may, Nigeria is set to improve more during the same period and become a confident fix asset for investments, more than most countries in the region beside Ghana.  

This is so because, democracy is taking roots in Nigeria as shown by the rejection of the elongation of president Obasanjo’s presidential tenure by the Nigerian Senate. Parliamentarians of the ruling party in Cameroon won’t have demonstrated such boldness and independent spirit against the will of the executive as their Nigerian alter egos have done. Apart from being beset by tribal allegiances, Cameroon is virtually two countries artificially combined into one, that as time goes on, its disintegration, instead of decreasing is increasing.  

A proof is the direction that, the English-speaking population who consider themselves more as different nationals than Cameroonians and their plethora of nationalist groups under an umbrella organisation known as the SCNC are taking (4). But Cameroon’s greatest peril may not rest necessarily in the way its English-speaking minority decide their future in the kangaroo union hatched out by the UN in 1961, but more in the management of the aftermath of Paul Biya, who has been ruling the country for more than 20 years.  

Paul Biya looks apparently exhausted and spends most of his time in Switzerland abandoning his country to the rule of vicious cliques of local champions all angling and waiting for the opportune time to lay claim to the throne. The homosexual saga that has recently rocked the country is a clear indicator that the battle for the succession of Biya has started (5). The US has its morale right to choose who to make friends with or not, but in choosing Cameroon that is assumed according to some Washington DC strategists as stable politically and could be ripe to take on some regional role in peace keeping, might be a wrong choice and wrong calculations.  

Attempts by Cameroon to take leadership roles in the micro regional body called CEMAC* has not only been snubbed, but has sparked rebellion from smaller countries such as Congo, Gabon and Equatorial Guinea. Eventually a counter claim to the regional leadership in the CEMAC was launched and won by Gabon; forcing Cameroon to back down and leave the rostrum with her tail solidly fixed between her legs. This has been made more manifest in that, the headquarters of that region’s Stock Exchange which would have normally gone to Cameroon is located in Libreville, the capital of Gabon. In addition, More decisions in that region are seldom taken in Yaoundé but now in Libreville, Malabo or Brazzaville, respectively political and administrative capitals of Cameroon, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea and the Republic of Congo. 

Natural leader  

Nigeria is in spite every other consideration, potentially advantageous as a partner not only for the US but with any other bodies, organisations or countries in Africa and the World. It is the second economic power on the continent and it is the most populated black nation on earth whose leadership is seldom contested by other African countries as it will be the case of Cameroon should the US decides to transform her into a leader of any sort.  

Nigeria is in addition a natural leader who does not use its might to abuse and for that, she is respected. The recent development of the Bakassi territorial disputes is another proof that, Nigeria does not abuse her position but she is law abiding. This is because there is/was nothing compelling Abuja to respect the ruling of the International Court of Justice on the Bakassi palaver. In case she had refused to comply, she won’t have been the first nation on earth to do so. The territorial dispute between Bolivia and Chile ruled in favour of the former by the ICJ has never been respected. Another example are the territorial disputes between Russia and Japan over the ownership of Kurils Islands captured from the latter after the second world war or Russia’s capture of China’s northern territories . In these two cases Russia has failed to respect international law.   

More so, Nigeria will remain more stable in the future and there is no major problem with the matter of succession at the helms of affairs currently, even though, the current transition is making many to be itchy about steps that Obasanjo might take. Nonetheless, to those whose anguish have been exacerbated because of the silence of those currently ruling, the constitution that brought the pair of Obasanjo and Atiku to power is still valid and remains the only source of reference. And as earlier mentioned the Nigerian Senate has put an end to any speculation on the supposed intentions of General Obasanjo’s desire to elongate his stay at Aso Rock (office and official resident of the president of Nigeria).

Disrespectful treatment 

Even though Nigeria is the largest supplier of Oil to the US from Africa, a thing that would have warranted more respectful treatment on the part of the Americans than the current state of affairs, the US it must be noted has not always been candid with Nigeria and other black African states. For example, the US grants annually to Egypt, the lump sum $ 1.8 billion in form of financial aid not to mention the grants of subsidised wheat. Whether the US grants to Egypt is for strategic considerations or it is to buy/force/ beg that African state into friendship with Israel, it is left to the US to make things clear on the subject.  

However, what is clearly certain is that, Nigeria is also of strategic importance, but she does not get or receive similar financial aid from the US. Neither does any other black African state do receive special attention nor financial aid from the US or other Western nations as North African countries. It is now evident that the sublime racism or preferential treatment granted to North African and Middle Eastern nations, has not yielded the desired results hence at present those treated like spoiled children at the detriment of black Africa are turning against their Western guarantors. 

Nevertheless, Nigeria will still remain a source of energy to the US and other Western countries, because its Oil has little sulphur and therefore easy to refine, in addition, its proximity with consumers in Europe and the US gives her an edge which is not negligible.  President George Bush’s announcement that the US wants to reduce its country’s dependence on Middle Eastern Oil by 75% makes Nigeria omnipresent in the new sources that will fill out the vacant place left by suppliers from the Middle East (6). 

US fear of rivals and the spectre of Nigeria’s disintegration 

What may have motivated the US to start looking for alternative partners in the region is the increasing influx of Asian investors, particularly the Chinese, Indians and South Koreans in Nigeria, primarily in the Oil sector. The whooping sum of $ 2.3 billion paid by China National Offshore Oil Corp for a stake in the Niger Delta may have made Washington DC strategists tremble (7). However, this may not be enough to make the US take wrong decisions in its long term strategy in a region that will soon be an important source of energy supplier.  

Some Washington DC based strategists and social scientists who are advising the current administration may think that, Nigeria is on the verge of disintegration because of problems in the Niger Delta or the activities of assertive Moslem activists in Northern Nigeria. But the reality is that, Nigerians are far more united and have a high sense of nationhood and unity that many seem to underestimate.  Another factor further cementing her unity is the advent of multiparty democracy which will certainly as it has started to demonstrate, lead to transparency and better management of state affairs. It will also provide democratic ways and methods of solving discontents such as those in the Niger Delta and this is good news to those living in those troubled areas, but bad to politicians who are exploiting the disappointment of youths in the region.  

As democracy advances, those now calling themselves rebels will see the need to express their anger through the ballot box or take part as active political leaders. In so doing, they will be unmasking all manipulators and opportunists who will only have the courts as route to salvation or ride straight to jail. This is the time that true friends of Nigeria and Africa must stand up not only to be counted but show their support for Nigeria. If the US is/was really a friend of Nigeria and the black Africa, it would have been helping to implement strong democratic traditions in the country that will be beneficial not only to Nigerian but to the entire region. 

Notes:- 

1 read Omar Bongo and Airy Routier in Blanc comme Negre published in French by Grasset edition 2001

2 read Elie Smith author of the article Bakassi: Why joint administration offers the best solution, published in the May/June 2005 edition of the magazine African Renaissance

3 read the March 2^nd 2006 edition of the news letter La Lettre du Continent, subject: Cameroon, La Lettre du Continent is a publication of Indigo Publications or log on to www.africainterlligence.fr

4 read the article of Kini Nsom and Chantal-Fleur Skaer published in The Post Newspaper of Cameroon of February 2^nd 2006 or log on to http://www.postnewsline.com /2006/02/court_poised_to.html #more

5 read the article of Elie smith in titled Celebrating 44 years of Cameroon’s unification: has it succeeded? Published by Post watch magazine by logging on www.postwatchmagazine.com/2005 /11/celebrating_44_.html 

6 read special report a supplement of Financial Time in titled Africa Oil & Gas of Wednesday March 1^st 2006

7 read article China African safari published in the Europe edition of the magazine Fortune of the month of February 2006 pages 58-62 

Footnotes/abbreviations

• CEMAC: Economic community of Central African states. It is made up of Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad ,Congo ,Gabon and Equatorial Guinea
• UPC: stands for the Union of the Population of Cameroon. It is the oldest political party of Cameroon created in 1948.
• SCNC: stands for Southern Cameroon’s National Council.
• ECOMOG: stands for ECOWAS monitoring group. It is a peace keeping body created by the regional political body of West African states to maintain peace in troubled member states.

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