In a stern warning to politicians in English-speaking West African countries, Professor Khalifa Dikwa speaking on Channels TV, has cautioned against mocking their counterparts in Francophone nations, where military juntas have seized power. Dikwa, the Dean of Borno Elders Forum, emphasized that the era of corrupt political leaders plundering resources in Africa is coming to an end.
He highlighted the shared challenges of widespread poverty, hunger, and deprivation faced by both Anglophone and Francophone African nations. Dikwa noted that while the scenarios are similar, military and police forces in English-speaking Commonwealth countries tend to be more disciplined, making takeovers less common. However, the situation in Francophone countries, burdened by excessive poverty and hunger, has reached a breaking point.
Dikwa argued that military takeovers are not limited to Francophone African nations due to the significant influence of their former colonial master, France. He contended that despite claiming to grant independence, France maintained a strong presence in its former colonies, including military training and weapon procurement.
The analyst called for Africa to reject any trace of imperialism and criticized developed countries like France, Britain, and America for their superiority mentality. He stressed that Africa, as a resource hub, should not grant these nations unlimited access to its resources.
Dikwa pointed out that the presence of foreign troops in countries surrounding Nigeria, which are predominantly Francophone-speaking, is due to disagreements with the French government over resource sharing, often leading to coups.
He further highlighted the importance of Nigeria in leading African countries to assert their independence, emphasizing that France has historically not been a friend to Nigeria.
In recent years, several African nations, including Mali, Guinea, Sudan, Burkina Faso, Niger Republic, and Gabon, have experienced military coups, with the new rulers resisting calls to return to civilian rule swiftly.
