Avoiding War in Niger
To the
UN Security Council African Union
UN Building Addis Ababa
New York Ethiopia
By Email. arcwebsiteuk@gmail.com
7 September 2023
Dear Members,
I am concerned about the situation in Niger. My fear is that violent conflict is imminent. It may be my naivety in diplomacy (or my bad maths calculating 2+2=5), but many of the news items I have seen and read recently has me thinking that War against Niger has a high probability. The consequences of such conflict fills me with trepidation and dread. Not withstanding the lost of life, casualties, retrogression in the lives and conditions of the people of Niger, I fear such a conflict may be perceived by some as “Black people killing black people, at the behest of White people, so they can control the resources of the country, to the detriment of the local people who have populated the land for many generations”. In a worst case scenario it could threaten international peace and security. As such conflict could be at the behest of a permanent member of the UN security (ostensibly protecting their national interests) I am concerned that the International Community will turn a blind eye.
To mitigate such a catastrophe, I humble suggest:
1 The Military Junta be offered pardons or exile, perhaps with a stipend.
2 A team of (eg retired, academic) ministers , administrators and elections professionals be appointed to Niger’s governmental intuitions, to govern, provide guidance and assistance in holding election within a pragmatic short timeframe (such as one year). Perhaps it will be more amenable if most members of the team are from African Countries or Countries with a large African Diaspora.
3 Members of the military Junta, ex members of parliament and ministers should be barred from such elections. Some of them contributed to getting into this mess. Perhaps other forms of Democracy will suit some African countries better. (e.g. Switzerland). Some so called democracies are dictatorships or Anocracies. Political parties should be based on ideologies rather than identity as is the case in many African countries.
I appreciate that such an approach will be very difficult. I fear Military leaders are not knowledgeable or adept in the four tenets of diplomacy, persuasion, bribery, intrigue and war. For many carpenters the solution for most problems is a hammer, similarly for many in the military it is war.
In my writings (available on www.arcwebsite.org ) I abhor military Junta’s (who after taking an oath to serve and protect the country take up arms and point guns at them). I also abhor the current exploitation of the resources of the African people with little tangible benefits for, or improvements in the lives and conditions of the general populace. I think some of the arguments of the exploiters (eg. Elites, foreign governments and corporations) for not assuring the people and countries develop and benefit through their resources are immoral and seems akin to those of the anti-abolitionists who opposed the abolition of slavery in Americas and Caribbean some 200 year ago. My perception is the elites and Military seek power as their turn to rob their country. Over 50% of African wealth is abroad. Foreign transfers have been seen to increase soon after “aid” funding are received in some countries. Some are leaders of Anocracies that steal their nation’s wealth and export it abroad (with the assistance of outside actors such as governments and corporations) so that it cannot be used to finance employment and development opportunities. Some hang on to power for decades thereby destroying hope and reducing the peaceful transition of power.
The ineptitude of both the government and military to provide basic human needs (such as security) for the people of Niger is trumped by them blaming others for their shortcomings and failings, and topped by their involvement of the mercenary group Wagner who seem to take the killing of people (especially foreigners) for sport. Yet still this is insufficient reason to subject the innocent people of Niger to war and violent conflict. I had hoped that in the 21st century humanity has advanced sufficiently that thousands of people will not be killed because of selfish, greedy, power hungry caballers.
Even if you don’t implement my suggestions, I hope for a peaceful outcome. I believe you are working towards that in good faith. I feel partly to blame for the deterioration in development, democracy and peace in Africa because I have not written up my ideas in this regard, for financing development in Africa and for a social contract for Africans.
Blood run done, Cease now peace,
Thanking you for your kind consideration and providing an outlet for my fears and imagines. I hope this helps. Do more of what you enjoy.
Yours Sincerely
Karl Miller