Nigeria’s long-held stance of non-alignment in global politics is facing a critical test. Recent diplomatic spats with the US, France, and regional neighbors over troop withdrawals from Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger have ignited a national debate about Nigeria potentially filling the military base void.
Experts have weighed in as speculations around Nigeria’s role in the ongoing diplomatic fisticuff gather steam, calling on the country’s authority to tread carefully amid the turbulence. While reports from some quarters suggest Nigeria is being pressured to allow foreign military bases on its soil, the nation’s information minister quickly debunked the insinuations.
“Nigeria’s Reaction”
Information and National Orientation Minister Mohammed Idris, on Monday, 6th May 2024, urged Nigerians to disregard the ‘falsehood.’ He said the federal government has neither received nor considered any proposal for establishing foreign military bases in the country. “The Federal Government is aware of false alarms being raised in some quarters alleging discussions between the federal government of Nigeria and some foreign countries on the siting of foreign military bases in the country. The federal government is not in any such discussion with any foreign country,” he noted.
However, experts believe the government, through the minister, is only testing the waters of public opinion by debunking and dismissing what many have termed a grave danger to the country’s sovereignty.
‘Northern Leaders’ Salvo’
Before the minister’s public statement, a group of northern leaders had fired the first salvo at the government over the proposed move, raising concern over the benefits of such a pact between Nigeria and some Western imperialists.
In a letter dated May 3, 2024, addressed to President Bola Tinubu and the National Assembly leaders, the group urged the government to resist pressures from the US and France.
The letter raised concerns about the lobbying efforts from defense agreements to station troops previously in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger.
“It is apparent that the presence of American troops and intelligence personnel in the Niger Republic is not serving any useful purpose. This is for the simple reason that terrorism, far from abating, has risen dramatically since the US began its operations in the region,” the statement added.
Historical Perspective
This isn’t the first time Nigeria has grappled with the issue of foreign military presence. In 1962, freshly independent Nigeria faced a proposed defense pact with Britain. The Anglo-Nigeria Defense Agreement offered provisions for mutual defense, British military assistance, and reciprocal airbase access.
However, the pact faced fierce domestic opposition, prompting its swift abrogation by the British government. They acknowledged public anxieties about compromised freedom of action and potential entanglement in unwanted conflicts.
‘No to Another Superpower’
“The solution to Nigeria’s security problems isn’t to confront another superpower, as this will maximize its problems,” Professor Bolaji Akinyemi, former Minister of Foreign Affairs, contended. “The last thing Nigeria wants is to have a military base by a superpower in counterpoise to another superpower, because, in a way, Russia moving into Niger, into Mali, into Burkina Faso, and the United States moving into Nigeria brings us into a confrontation with each other, and that’s the last thing we want,” the famed diplomat noted.
Professor Jibrin Ibrahim, a senior fellow at the Centre for Democracy and Development, also warned that establishing French and US military bases in Nigeria will not help the terror war.
“If Nigeria allows them to establish their bases here, what are our benefits?
Do we stand to benefit anything from them, or will it be the extension of their colonial interests by getting more strongholds in this (West African sub-region)?” a retired Director of the Department of State Services (DSS), Mr. Mike Ejiofor, inquired.
While still sticking to the non-alignment policy, global analysts agree Nigeria’s decision will always have a significant impact on its international standing and regional security dynamics.
It is expedient the Federal Government balances regional concerns, national security needs, and the preservation of Nigeria’s long-held non-aligned principles.
With careful consideration and open dialogue, experts believe Nigeria will navigate this complex situation and chart a course that serves its best interests.
