The
sudden death of the Military Ruler, General Soni Abacha, aged 56, and
the controversial leader chief Mashood Abiola, on the eve of his long
imprisonment, refocused world opinion on Nigeria. It is not surprising
that the world expresses interest in Nigeria. It is the most populated
country in Africa and it’s 107 million citizens place it as the
tenth-ranking populated country in the world. The inexhaustible oil and
gas resources make Nigeria the fifth exporter of oil in the world.
Therefore, Nigeria has been considered as the “African Giant” and due to
its diversified tribal, ethnic and religious composition, many believe
that it mirrors the entire African continent, its challenges,
difficulties and potential, and its success or failure will have far-
reaching consequences and profound repercussions on the Black continent
as a whole.
Despite the tranquil and orderly way in
which Nigeria achieved its independence in October 1960, its recent
history is characterized by continuous internal strife, violent
confrontations and repeated domestic crises. These climaxed during the
tragic bloodiest civil war which has ever occurred in Africa – The
Biafra War. The main reason for these traumatic experiences has been a
tragic handicap which has haunted Nigeria since its inception. The
ethnic, regional and religious rivalry, intolerance and hatred, have
overshadowed and subordinated the National interest to sectorial and
separatist consideration. The continuous domestic crises as well as the
impotency and sometimes partiality of the civil government, coupled by
the revelations of much corruption among the leadership, destroyed the
credibility of the civil administration. Thus Nigeria had seven
military rulers, two democratically elected governments and one
short-lived transitional cabinet.
Exporting two million barrels of crude oil
per day made Nigeria a welcome member of OPEC. She became an important
center of international economic, commercial and diplomatic activities.
Nigeria used its standing and influence to promote also the objectives
of its foreign policy. At the top of its priorities was the care for
the African continent. She played a leading role in crusading for the
termination of the Imperialist rule in Africa, the democratization of
South Africa, mediated in inter-African conflicts and was an active
spokesman for the African cause in the UN, the British Commonwealth and
other organizations.
Since its establishment, Nigerian-Israel
relations have been friendly, and though at the beginning there were
Nigerian Christians who advocated that such a relationship would benefit
both countries, later the majority of Moslems and their leaders joined
in. During the first 13 years (1960-73), many Israeli experts were sent
to all parts of Nigeria, at the request of the Nigerians, helping to
modernize agriculture, building new housing projects, highways,
universities and assisting in laying foundations for a modern
communication system. Nigerian scholars, agriculturists, educators and
students were sent to study in Israel and major Israeli companies and
private entrepreneurs became involved in Nigeria’s development.
However, this fruitful and meaningful relationship came to a halt in
1973, when Nigeria adhered to the decision of the Organization of
African Unity, that under hard pressure of its Arab members, called upon
its members to break off diplomatic relations with Israel following the
Yom Kippur War. It took 19 years until the Moslem Nigerian Head of
State, General Ibrahim Bagangida decided to restore and normalize the
relations between the two countries.
To establish the relationship on a
reciprocal basis, Nigeria took an unprecedented step and established,
for the first time, an Embassy in Israel, headed by one of its most
experienced Ambassadors. The two countries were preparing for closer
cooperation when the Nigerian crisis erupted, the internal situation
deteriorated, and as in many other cases, caused a decline in the mutual
cooperation.
With
the disappearance of Chief Mashood Abiola and General Abacha, Nigeria
finds itself at a crucial crossroad. The new Military Head of State,
General Abubaker, has taken significant steps, which might signal that
his intention is to bring about national reconciliation and re-establish
democracy.
