International Muddle

The international community faces challenges in how it approaches a Nigerian government that has joined the ranks of States operating without a credible electoral mandate.

The international reaction has been muted, to say the least, with some singularly inappropriate reactions, such as the ‘private’ letter from outgoing British Prime Minister Tony Blair to President Obasanjo praising him at precisely the time elections were being condemned by his own Foreign Office. This type of reaction significantly undermines the credibility of the international community in the Niger Delta. This in turn aggravates the local perception that militancy is the only way to get things to change.

There is a key test of the credibility of nations that claim that they are concerned about development and governance in Africa. There is no question that if Zimbabwe or South Africa had conducted elections to the low standard just witnessed in Nigeria, the international reaction would have been concerted. Countries such as the United Kingdom would have been at the forefront of calls for justice. The international community has a clear choice: to support the citizens of Nigeria, or maintain the status quo. The domination of the majority by a small elite will have the effect of undermining any substantial efforts to establish real democratic institutions, and sustainable development.

An unqualified invitation to the G8 summit in Germany hardly qualifies as a stern international rebuke. It potentially undermines domestic pressure for democratic reform. Too many foreign governments that demand better governance in the Niger Delta have continually failed to make the link between accountable representation for the region and improvements in government delivery, of jobs, housing, health care etc. Undemocratic regimes across Africa will also take considerable heart, unless domestic and international pressure wrestles significant concessions from the incoming government.

(SDN’s own report on election fraud is here.)