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 Askia At-Large
Askia Muhammad
Columnist Page
Friday, December 10, 2004; Page 19
Nigeria Takes Its Place As a World Leader, Power
It’s official: Nigeria is America’s chief ally in Africa. President Olusegun Obasanjo cemented his country’s role when he met here with President George W. Bush December 2.
He was the first African leader to meet visit the White House since the Bush election victory, and he made nice with Mr. Bush in the Oval Office, and then he promptly chartered his own course, mildly rebuking an American sacred cow.
Mr. Obasanjo said he is unconvinced about a determination by the United States government that "genocide" is being inflicted on Darfur's indigenous Black African population in western Sudan. That’s getting kind of “cheeky.” Right here in the U.S. Capital, Mr. Obasanjo publicly disagreed with U.S. policy.
Asked in an interview with CNN if he agreed with the call by the administration of Pres. Bush, Mr. Obasanjo replied: “Now, what I know of Sudan it does not fit in all respects to that definition.”
“The government of Sudan can be condemned, but it’s not as ... genocide,” Mr. Obasanjo said, hours after meeting Mr. Bush. The Nigerian leader said he agreed with Mr. Bush that there is an acute problem in the region that needs to be addressed, but added that “the real issue of Darfur is governance. It is a political problem which has mushroomed into a military (one) when the rebels took up arms,” the Nigerian leader said.
The two leaders held discussions on trade, investments, Overseas Development Assistance (ODA), debt cancellation, the fight against HIV/AIDS and efforts to restore peace to Sudan's Darfur region. Symbolically, the Nigerian meeting is important because Mr. Obasanjo is not only among the first African leaders, but he is among the first of all the world’s leaders to meet with Mr. Bush since last month’s election.
Nigeria has Africa’s largest population--120 million--and is also a potent oil producer, with a powerful army which has been deployed all over the continent in peace-keeping missions.
“Mr. President…let me express our appreciation for receiving me and my delegation so very early in your preparation for the second term,” Mr. Obasanjo told Pres. Bush before the Oval Office meeting. “Of course, you are receiving me not only in my capacity as President of Nigeria, but also in my capacity as the Chairman of AU (African Union), continuing that organization.”
Increasingly, the U.S. has relied on Nigerian leadership in the area of peace and security and conflict resolution in Africa. A question from a Nigerian journalist in fact, pushed Mr. Bush to recall the depth of his contacts with Mr. Obasanjo during his first term, as well as his vision of the U.S. role in African continental affairs. Mr. Bush admitted he met Mr. Obasanjo at least 10 times during his first term.
“I have met with other leaders from the continent of Africa a lot,” he continued. “I have traveled to Africa. I have made the -- fighting the pandemic of HIV/AIDS a central part of my administration.
“I helped work to extend AGOA (African Growth and Opportunity Act) on the full belief that economic trade and the benefits of trade far exceed the benefits of direct aid. I've worked on a Millennium Challenge Account to help encourage the habits of good governance. And I will continue that focus and attention on the continent of Africa.
“I think it is vital that the continent of Africa be a place of freedom and democracy and prosperity and hope, where people can grow up and realize their dreams. It's a continent that has got vast potential, and the United States wants to help the people of Africa realize that potential,” said Mr. Bush.
“I hope the President will make good on the so called ‘promises of cooperation,’” Rep. Sheila Jackson-Lee (D-Texas) told this writer. She hopes the President “will develop a stronger policy for Africa. Congress will develop a stronger policy for Africa, because Africa has a great future.
“But it cannot proceed in its future if the promises that are made (by this country) are never kept,” Rep. Jackson Lee concluded.
“Well, the proof of the pudding is in the eating. Are these programs going to be fully funded?” former Rep. Ron Dellums (D-Calif.) asked in an interview before a banquet honoring Mr. Obasanjo.
“Are we going to think new and positive ways of dealing with things? When we look at the strategies on the continent of Africa right now, not a lot of it is working. So I think that means there needs to be some creative thought, some creative energy that comes in a whole other way. At the end of the day, U.S. relationships with Africa are going to require major resources and major commitment,” Mr. Dellums continued, insisting that there is “still a considerable distance to go.” |
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