Nigeria in the Cross-Strait fire

Only a few would stop to think about Nigeria’s overwhelming decision to suddenly severe diplomatic ties with Taiwan. The demotion of Taiwan by the Federal Government of Nigeria to a trade state and not a sovereign state developed from China’s influence on Nigeria.

Perhaps Nigeria at the moment, in recession, has little to offer in terms of holding decision against certain economic power countries like China. Nigeria has to weigh her options between supporting Taiwan as a state and losing China as an economic ally.  The frontier of the cold war between China (PROC) and Taiwan (ROC) has seen different supporters from different states and even region depending on the government affiliation. Taiwan has been known to be secretly supported by Right hand government while same Right hand governments have not had the effrontery to take the mantle to the UN. China has enjoyed both leftist and controversially right hand governments’ supports. The latter has been due to the need to manage a fragile state of affairs with China. Starting a face-off with China on Taiwan is almost nearly starting one with Russia. Even though Russia and China have disagreements on a number of issues, they share similar feelings on Taiwan remaining a buffer state.

China stands at an advantage both because of her economic and military dominance in the region as well as influence at the UN. Drops of criticism from different quarters have not been able to reverse                                                                                   

    

China’s stiff control over Taiwan. As long as Taiwan remains a buffer state and not claim sovereign title or seen as a sovereign state by other UN accredited sovereign states, China bears no grudge against them

But with Nigeria dabbling in this 68 year old crisis, with little or no understanding of the international effect (or so I presume) on her diplomatic relations with other countries is yet to be seen. Leaning towards America’s (under Trump) indignation over China’s resistance to Taiwan’s rise to sovereignty, which is a potential cold war between America and China, might drag Nigeria (a less perceptive and ill prepared country) into a cold war.

Hong Kong suffers similar state of affair with China. Typically, it is a ‘one country two systems’ system of affairs in both situations.

From the inner thoughts of Yahya Jammeh (An innocuous appeal to the world to see reason) Hear him if you can.

Perhaps Jammeh’s resistance and call for a re-election might have presented the erring factor in the electioneering process of the Gambian 2016, Dec 1^st election.  From a more eclectic point of view, Jammeh’s resistance to the result was not premeditated for he had initially conceded defeat and even congratulated the President Elect, Barrow ("you are elected president of The Gambia, and I wish you all the best”, I have no ill will.) to the extent that he planned to convene a transition meeting for Barrow’s new presidency. More in Jammeh’s defense; the moment he got the result of the election, he released the opposition leader of the Coalition for Democracy and eighteen (18) others as a sign of good fate and acceptance to the new dispensation.

However, unfortunately the Gambian Election Commission,  after the previous reading of the election results on the 2^nd of December, came out with a modified result on the 5^th December bringing the margin between Jammeh and Barrow from 8.8% to 3.7%, and a 9.1% reduction on the total votes cast.  

The modified result of the election led to Jammeh’s rethink about leaving office. On the 9^th December,  he challenged the result of the election on Gambia National TV saying “He has decided to reject the outcome of the election due to serious and unacceptable abnormalities during the election process.” This of course was met with criticism and jeered uproar from the citizenry and international communities.

…and from a more eclectic perspective, Jammeh would not have conceded to an election result that is fraught with abnormalities. Maybe Gambians are tired of his government and perhaps seek a change in power according to some popular views, but it is worthy of note that it is immoral and unlawful to quest the removal from power, regardless of years on the throne, through an obscured  election.  Are Gambians so desperate to see Jammeh out of power at the expense of justice? He has every right to challenge the results. He did not say he will not leave power irrespective of the judgment.  He has simply petitioned the GEC and the election result and until he is heard there will be no transition.

We should not be too hasty to advance our indignant stereotypic psychic that African leaders are hard to leave power. Remember he had conceded defeat but after the modification of the result, he chose to reject the result and asked for an enquiry into the abnormalities.

The AU and the UN and all other foreign bodies should not stoke a civil war in Gambia, rather they should ensure a speedy judgment of the matter.

We should strive to promote an Africa that displays erudition and candor, and not one that is flawed by misguided emotions and unruly decisions. About (60.5%) of those who heard about the Gambian Election did not read about it. They merely relied on hearsays and elicit empathy for the Gambian citizens, who out of sheer remiss want Jammeh out of power at all cost.