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this #EndBadGovernance protests From August 1 to August 10, protests in Nigeria took on an unexpected scale, with some protesters in Kano and Kaduna states in the northwest of the country. Wave to share Russian flags are flying on the streets. Nigerian President Bola Tinubu responds meet Several meetings were held with the country’s security chiefs and police. arrest. Russian Embassy in Abuja Denied Any interference in Nigeria’s internal affairs. It is worrying that the northern part of Nigeria Weak border control, 1,497 km long Currently, the Republic of Niger is controlled by a pro-Russian military junta.
Dialogue with Africa Olayinka Ajalaan international relations expert, Research The region has been in the news for more than a decade and this is what it means for Nigeria.
One possible explanation is that the protests Infiltrated by some Nigeriens To express their dissatisfaction with the Nigerian government’s attitude towards the Nigerien military junta and to embarrass the government. Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, who is also the chairman of the Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas), Imposing sanctions In 2023, the Nigerien military took over. This argument about foreign infiltration confirms my Previous Statement Some argue that the withdrawal of Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso from ECOWAS will lead to an outflow of their citizens to other countries in the region, threatening the stability of those countries.
Policing Nigeria’s borders is very difficult, but more should be done to prevent infiltration because Long-term notice Courtesy of protest organizers.
Seven states of Nigeria Shared Boundaries relations with the Republic of Niger. For decades, people from Niger and northern Nigeria have moved freely between the two countries for work and family matters. This has also created security challenges. Violent non-state actors have been able to move freely, e.g. Boko Haram.
As Niger’s relations with Russia continue to expand, Wagner Group A private military organization that acts as a front for Russia is involved in the fight against terrorism in the Sahel region. The organization poses a threat to the entire region, especially Nigeria. There are no effective borders between these countries, and people can easily move in and out.
The Wagner Group, like other private military organizations, operates with impunity and without accountability. The group has been accused of serious crimes. Human rights violations Although Russia has not openly supported the group, it is known to sponsor By Russia.
In addition, the Wagner Group has been identified as Safety Nigeria’s democracy. This is because of the way they operate and their interest in developing natural resources. A recent study showed that foreign criminals are involved in Gold Prospecting and Insecurity Zamfara State is one of the states that borders Niger. Therefore, Nigerian security agencies need to keep a close eye on the group’s activities in neighboring Niger.
There is no evidence that Wagner is operating in Nigeria, but there is a risk that it could infiltrate the lax border and undermine Nigeria’s security.
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Yes, Nigeria should be worried. Waving a foreign flag in a country undermines that country’s sovereignty and internal security. Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger Nigerian protesters wave flags in public appeal after military takeover Coup and Russian intervention Nigeria’s defense minister called it treason.
Although the Russian Embassy in Nigeria Denied Any participation, evidence Russia is keen to expand its influence in the Sahel region. It must be understood that the security and stability of the Sahel countries have implications for Nigeria and other coastal countries in West Africa.
During the protests in Kano State, Seven Polish citizens Arrested for holding Russian flag. A spokesman for Nigeria’s National Security Service said the Polish citizens were arrested while participating in a protest. The Polish government argued that they came to the country only to Learn Hausa.
This has further raised suspicions of foreign interference in the country, threatening to undermine an already fragile security architecture.
this Recent attacks The attacks in Mali, which killed Malian soldiers and involved Wagner militants backed by Ukrainian special forces, have already raised concerns about a new proxy war in the region. ECOWAS has rightly condemned the “External interference“In the region. This is another reason why Nigeria should be worried about the presence of any foreign presence within its borders.
Read more:
Niger and Russia are building military ties: Three ways this could anger old allies
Nigeria has a fairly close relationship with Russia, but action must be taken to prevent any form of interference. In 2021, Nigeria signed Military Agreement It has close ties with Russia and is currently purchasing weapons from Russia.
Still, the country should be wary of private militias, including Wagner. Building better relations with neighboring countries, especially where Wagner operates, would allow it to monitor the group’s activities.
The government also needs to quickly identify, arrest, and prosecute individuals who seek to destabilize the country.
In addition, the attacks in Mali are also a reflection of the growing influence of foreign powers in West Africa, and Nigeria should use its position as the chair of ECOWAS to strongly condemn such activities.
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