Nigeria gained independence from
its British colonizers in 1960. Since that time, Nigeria has endured many
different regimes and constitutions. Religious division between Christians, and
Muslims, terrorism and power struggles plague the country. This evidence of
fractionalization, social unrest, and lack of political control have led me to
conclude that Nigeria should be categorized as a failed state.
Of the thirty-six states in
Nigeria, the northern states are known to be predominately Muslim while the
Southern states are known to be predominately Christian. Twelve of the northern
Muslim states enforce Sharia Law. This division creates great tension within
Nigeria as those within these Northern states that are Christian, a tribal
religion (a smaller but present population), or any other religion are unjustly
subjected to laws which do not represent their beliefs and threaten their
liberty all within their own country. Additionally, Nigeria’s economy is
heavily dominated by their coveted natural resource, petroleum. The petroleum is located in the southern
region of the county controlled by Christians. The countries most valuable
resource in the hands of their rival is frequently a point of conflict for the
Muslim majority.
Two of the most destructive
terrorist groups in Nigeria are Boko Harem and MEND, the Movement to Emancipate
the Niger Delta. Boko Harem has spent a lot of time in the news for their most
recent display of violence and disregard for human life as they abducted more
than two hundred school girls this year. This Islamic militant group furthers
the already existing culture of violence, raping and otherwise abusing their
captives. Meanwhile, in the Christian region of the country, MEND fights for
control of the oil rich Niger Delta in this southern part of Nigeria. Though
less religiously charged, the radicals raise arms, kidnap, and bomb corrupt
government and those related to the oil industry in this region. Both groups of
extremists commit violent atrocities that violate international human rights
laws and further develop social unrest in Nigeria.
Despite conducting two seemingly legitimate
and consecutive elections, the government of Nigeria still proves to be
ineffective. At least two powerful terrorist groups continue to operate within
its borders, religious freedoms are threatened, national unity is almost nonexistent,
and it appears that Nigerians take laws more as suggestions. Additionally, the
state sponsored military is infamous for human right abuses that rival the
terrorist organizations aforementioned. President Goodluck Jonathon’s
government clearly does not have adequate control over its national resources
either as MEND is infamous for impacting oil exportation and therefore directly
affecting the Nigerian economy. This current regime has proven to be incapable of
asserting its authority, enforcing law, protecting its citizens, or uniting
Nigeria as one nation.
The Nigerian government has not
ended the severe religious fractionalization or established any significant social
stability. It may be argued that the Nigerians have democratically elected
their leaders in credible elections and therefore they are legitimate. While credible elections are a positive asset,
they do not make up for the fact that the government has proven to have little
to no authority among its own people and therefore Nigeria should be
categorized as a failed state.
Sources
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ni.html
Bridget, I like how you pointed out that even though countries may hold legitimate democratic elections, that doesn't necessarily make them legitimate sovereign nations. Such as the case with Nigeria, the national government seems to have little control and influence over the majority of the country even though they were elected into office by the people.
ReplyDeleteA question to think about: What possible steps do you think the government can take to reclaim control of the country and weaken the power of both MEND and Boko Harem?
Bridget, your argument demonstrates the messy nature of categorizing failed states. Some are very easy: Somalia is obviously a failed state, Sweden isn't. In my opinion, Nigeria is one of those countries difficult to categorize: despite legitimate elections and economic prosperity in comparison to many of their neighbors, as you point out, they have major problems with corruption, terrorist groups, and religious and ethnic differences. Regardless of this gray area, your argument was both detailed and convincing.
ReplyDeleteYour conclusion says it all. What is a government if its authority is no where near that of terrorist groups in the state. Even though Nigeria is hundreds of miles away, your informative post here reminds me in a few ways of numerous states in the Middle East that are absolutely defined as a failed state. Corruption, terrorist groups, and failure to uphold human rights in Nigeria definitely get them a spot in the club as well.
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