BY PROFESSOR DANFULANI AHMED
In Abuja last week, fourteen Head of States and governments took an unprecedented strategic and policy decision, having implications for the peace, security, stability and development in West Africa. Under the leadership of President Goodluck Jonathan, as the Chairman of ECOWAS, they took the decision that will finally put an end to the political debacle in Cote d’Ivoire. With this vital step, the final communiqué issued a serious warning to the defeated Ivorian President, Mr. Laurent Gbagbo to quit and hand over power to Dr. Alhassan Ouatara, the winner of the recent presidential elections. The communiqué went further to confirm a possible ECOWAS use of military force to dislodge Mr. Gbagbo.
Prior to this decision, and barely 24hours earlier, the United Nations Security Council, had taken a far reaching political step, culminating in the removal of the Ivorian Ambassador to the UN, based on the refusal of Mr Laurent Gbagbo to step down and recognize the victory of the opposition at the polls. In line with the entire resolution of the international community, the African Union, the European Union, as well as the ECOWAS peace and security council, it is evident that Mr Gbagbo’s illegal occupation of the presidential palace is in its last days. With this global rejection, experts in strategy and policy, and particularly ECOWAS have delivered a powerful political message, first to the sub region and second to the entire continent of Africa. This message has three implications. The first concern is its legality, the second is the political legitimacy, while the third concern is its diplomatic import and ramifications. On the issue of the legality of the decision and threat of possible use of force, the bases of this collective action have been spelt out in the treaties and protocols signed and ratified by all countries. With regards to the UN, the definition of aggression, within and against member states approved in 1974, has clearly defined what constitutes aggression. The UN definition largely captured any illegitimate use of a nation’s armed force against legitimate opposition and globally acknowledged political authority. Subsequent upon such aggression, the member state, under the auspices of the UN general assembly and the security council, can take any diplomatic action, including the use of force at the sub-region level. With regard to Africa Union, according to the treaty signed in July, 2000, article 4 approves the right of member states to intervene in order to restore peace and security; based on the respect for democratic principles, human rights, rule of law and good governance.In the ECOWAS sub-region, its protocol on the mechanism of conflict resolution, management, peace and security insisted on the promotion and consolidation of democratic governance, and confirmed that ECOWAS will deploy a civilian and military force to maintain or restore peace within the sub-region, whenever the need arises. It is clear that, under the Chairmanship of President Goodluck Jonathan, ECOWAS is sticking to the right diplomatic action. ECOWAS has also decided on the use of high powered diplomatic networking based on the use of regional negotiation. On this principles, President Goodluck is called upon to explore the extremely rich contacts and influence of the past presidents of ECOWAS as well as other personalities. It is significant to note that, with the forthcoming elections in Nigeria, the political weight of President Jonathan will be put to the test and so far, the Nigerian leadership of the sub-regional body has been a diplomatic foreign policy success. This in itself calls on Mr President, that with the success recorded on both the economic sector and foreign policy fields, and in the aspect of peace, security and stability in parts of the country,there is greater need to strengthen the rule of law, wage war against corruption, sustain the policy of poverty eradication, and attaining the millennium development goals. The Nigerian electorate is made up of high percentage of illiterate, and rural citizenry who are largely oblivious and unconcerned with African Union, ECOWAS and UN. Consequently, there is the need to concentrate on people- orientated welfare policy, mass fruitful mobilization and transparent statesmanship, as invaluable policy to sustain our leadership role in the sub-region.
Source: Recorded live from FRCN daily commentary
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