Joe Carpenter
POLS-232
Dr. Betsill
Paper 2
External Involvement in Nigeria
The humanitarian crises that has arisen in Nigeria surrounding Boko Haram is one that has made its way to the world stage. Nigeria is a strong economic leader in the Sub-Saharan region and has the 27th largest GDP in the world, according to the United Nations. (United Nations 2016) Boko Haram is a terrorist organization that is well known worldwide for the recent kidnapping of over 400 women as well as many lesser known instances of brutality. (Holpuch 2018) The Nigerian military, responsible for the control of this organization, has also been accused of human rights violations. Because of this they have deemed themselves unable to deal with the problem internally, requiring external action that can come in the form of a statement and range to military intervention.
Poland, unlike many of its Western European allies, failed to colonize a country in Africa in the 19th century and as a result has always played a lesser role with politics in the region. Poland currently contributes zero peacekeepers to any UN Peacekeeping missions in the region. (United Nations 2018) Globally, Poland does work a lot with the United Nations regarding humans rights, specifically regarding the prevention and punishment of and for this gross category of violations. (Affairs 2018) Poland does not have a massive international presence however could be considered a middle power due to their unique presence to the world stage. Because they are not a global superpower, Poland may refrain from drastic interventionalist measures.
Poland’s objectives are as follows:
• End abuses of Humanitarian Rights by the Armed forces of Nigeria
o Poland’s main concern is the Violations of Human Rights no matter who the violator is. Although Boko Haram is the main aggressor, The Nigerian Armed forces should be the primary opponent to Boko Haram regarding Human Rights abuses. However, they must lead by example and cease their alleged unlawful actions regarding Human Rights.
• End abuses of Human Rights by Boko Haram
o Once the Nigerian Armed Forces have shown that they can stop their own violations, they should focus on the eradication of Boko Haram from Nigeria and work with surrounding nations to eliminate Boko Haram from the entire region.
• Permanent prevention of Human Rights Abuses in Nigeria
o Again, Poland’s main concern is the abuses of Human Rights that take place in the Region and finds it important that these abuses cease permanently.
• Action taken against aggressors
o Poland is not comfortable committing manpower to a mission, however, Poland would recommend sanctions that will not impede upon Nigeria’s sovereignty unless warranted.
• Non-Intervention
o Like previously mentioned, Poland is not comfortable committing manpower to Nigeria. Poland will never step past the line of committing troops to a matter that doesn’t involve a direct threat to National Security or its economic stability.
To combat these Human Rights Violations, the first option is to request a report from the Secretary-General regarding the Nigerian Armed Forces human rights practices. From this report, Nigeria could use recommendations from the Secretary-General to help prevent these abuses. This is an extremely hands off approach however it allows the Nigerian Government to correct the path of the military on their own with no real consequence. If Nigeria managed to implement changes and help their military, they would be more effective in combating Boko Haram and there would be no need for further international intervention. This option does not force Poland’s hand at all while keeping the situation controlled and informal. Unfortunately, this action does not require action from Nigeria and is essentially a warning that may not deter them. If that is the case, further action would be required.
In the event that Nigeria does not comply with the first course of action, there is the option to impose economic sanctions upon Nigerian officials and prevent the military from obtaining new weapons through additional sanctions. This is the first action taken that would negatively affect Nigeria while still keeping Poland far away from intervention. If handed down properly, the sanctions given to Nigerian officials as well as the military would force their hand to make a change within the military, ending their human rights abuses. However, Nigeria is a leading economic power in the area. Because of that, countries that work with Nigeria may be less inclined to agree to these sanctions rendering them ineffective. Nevertheless, This is an ideal option for Poland, they can show their displeasure with the situation in a big way while still not putting extra lives in danger in the form of committing troops.
If Nigeria doesn’t respond to the first two steps, more options are available that can address the problem. The United Nations could send in a peacekeeping mission to assist in the fight against Boko Haram. This option however does not necessarily address violations by the Nigerian Armed forces however it would help in the eradication of Boko Haram. This option is tough on Boko Haram however may allow the violations by Nigeria to go unchecked. This is not an option Poland endorses because it overlooks all of the Human Rights violations occurring and just focuses on one party. Partially eradicating the issue should not be the option.
The final option is military intervention from Nations that also share concerns of the ongoing Human Rights violations by both parties. An action like this has the potential to correct the entire situation in Nigeria, however this is a large commitment that middle powers like Poland could not commit to alone. Furthermore, this would not be a good option for countries with limited involvement on the global security stage such as Poland which may lack the means and desire to get directly involved.
To produce a desired effect while maintaining a non-interventionalist status, requesting a Report on the situation on Nigeria followed by economic and material sanctions if necessary would be the right decision regarding Nigeria. By refraining from committing troops, from another country or from the UN, it neglects the need for a long term force to be put in potential danger, saves money, and could prove equally as effective as intervening.
In addition, committing UN Troops would only prove effective in the fight against Boko Haram. It would neglect to address the crimes committed by the Nigerian Military as the UN Troops would be drastically outnumbered and out supplied if put against the Nigerian Military. Furthermore, an even larger response by sovereign nations intervening in Nigeria could prove effective in solving the entire issue of Human Rights violations, but would most likely be a long term situation that could cost lives, money, and destabilize the region all while having the potential to have the same effect as something less dramatic such as sanctions.
Works Cited
Affairs, Ministry of Foreign. 2018. Permanent Mission of the Republic of Poland to the United Nations. https://nowyjorkonz.msz.gov.pl/en/news/meeting_of_legal_advisers_of_ministries_of_foreign_affairs_in_new_york.
Holpuch, Amanda. 2018. The Guardian. October 22. Accessed November 4, 2018. https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2018/oct/22/bring-back-our-girls-documentary-stolen-daughters-kidnapped-boko-haram.
United Nations. 2016. GDP and its breakdown at current prices in US Dollars. http://unstats.un.org/unsd/snaama/dnltransfer.asp?fID=2.
—. 2018. United Nations Peacekeeping. https://peacekeeping.un.org/en/mission/unifil.