ECOWAS COUP BUG AND NIGERIA’S STRATEGIC ROLE 

Nigeria has what it takes to lead the charge for the survival of the regional body

Nigeria has been confronted with a twin problem following the failed coup in Benin Republic. The primary one is a test of capacity to manage crises in our immediate neighbourhood. Our military intervention to squelch the coup proves beyond doubt that we have that capacity. We congratulate President Bola Tinubu and the Nigerian armed forces for a job well done. The second aspect has to do with the stability of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) as a regional block. Both are linked by the factor of Nigeria’s military and political leadership in the subregion.

The foiled coup in Benin has exposed the region’s vulnerability to political turmoil in member states. In the aftermath, ECOWAS declared a state of emergency, warning that the subregion is now facing an unprecedented combination of military interventions, democratic setbacks, terrorist expansion and worsening humanitarian conditions. These developments have also reinforced the old argument on the necessity for establishing a regional stabilisation force. To underscore its importance, Tinubu recently reiterated that the ECOWAS Standby Force must move from concept to operational reality.

The main objective of such a military organ is to enhance the security of the subregion by supporting member states in the fight against terrorism, banditry, and other violent crimes. The force is also expected to assist in the restoration of democratic governance in member states affected by military coups and, when necessary, provide humanitarian assistance in conflict areas and places affected by natural disasters. We consider the current enthusiasm for the formation and operationalisation of the 5,000- strong ECOWAS standby force understandable, especially considering the myriads of security challenges confronting many of the countries within the sub-region.

However, while the merits of having such a standby force are obvious, so are the obstacles. A good number of member states are poor, both financially and in the requisite manpower. Most lack the military capacity to contribute meaningfully to the proposed force. Above all, there is hardly a tactical synergy among the states to make for a coherent force. Most importantly, at least five member states are now under military rule. If the likelihood of military coups is the premium reason for the proposed force, opposition and outright sabotage from these undemocratic states should be expected.

We also should not discount the cost factor. As the largest contributor of troops to the standby force, Nigeria would undoubtedly bear a significant burden of the proposed deployment. Already, the military is overstretched and deeply committed to fighting insurgency and banditry within our borders. Some recent operational setbacks have been attributed to inadequate manpower to maintain a strong presence and dominate wide areas. Deploying a substantial number of troops to the ECOWAS standby force could deplete and divert manpower resources away from our domestic security challenges where they are critically needed.

However, inaction is no longer an option for our country and the subregion. Nigeria needs ECOWAS to survive. We need the free flow of goods, services, and people across the region. Capital fares better when it can move freely across a wide geographical space, hence the universal appeal of regional economic blocs. And by virtue of its size and geo strategic advantages, Nigeria has an overarching responsibility to lead the charge for the survival of ECOWAS. Intra West African trade can only enrich the entire region. Together, we will all fare better. Perhaps more importantly, Nigeria has a global responsibility to avert the growing erosion of civil rule in West Africa.

The exit of Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger from ECOWAS and their regrouping under the Alliance of Sahel States with a not-so-subtle agenda to make military rule acceptable in the subregion is dangerous. But to reverse the trend of viral coups, Nigeria needs the support of the free world. We are equipped historically to play that role. After over four decades under military rule and nearly three decades of sporadic democracy, Nigeria has a few lessons to teach West Africa on the value of representative government, even with all its imperfections. This is therefore time for Nigeria to demonstrate leadership across the board within the ECOWAS.