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Tsvangirai Seeks Nigeria's Intervention in Zimbabwe Crisis

Nigeria Today
22nd April '08

Zimbabwe's main opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai Monday called for Nigeria's immediate intervention in resolving the political crisis in his country, triggered by the failure of the authorities to release the result of the 29 March presidential election, which he claims to have won. Speaking to journalists after talks with former President Olusegun Obasanjo at his farm in Ota, near the economic capital city of Lagos, the leader of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) also sought to allay the fears of President Robert Mugabe, if indeed the MDC leader is declared winner of the election. Tsvangirai said as a father of the nation, the 84-year-old Mugable would be assigned ''a significant role'' under an MDC government, adding: "He played a significant role in the struggle for liberation of the country, and whatever transpires can not take away that contribution.''

He recalled that Nigeria played a significant role in Zimbabwe's independent struggle, hence could not afford to keep quiet at a time like this, when the Southern African nation is sliding into chaos, with the opposition claiming at least 10 deaths and a crackdown on the opposition by the authorities in the aftermath of the polls. Tsvangirai's meeting with Obasanjo, whom he called his 'mentor' , was aimed at tapping into the former President's connections to reach out to the Nigerian government, which has been unusually silent on the crisis in Zimbabwe. It was not immediately known if the opposition leader, who arrived in Nigeria in the early hours of Monday, plans to travel to the inland capital city of Abuja, the seat of power, to meet with Nigerian government officials. But President Umaru Yar'Adua, who is in Germany on medical treatment, is not due back until Tuesday.

MDC leaders seemed to have fanned out in an effort to reach out to African and world leaders to act urgently to stem the crisis in Zimbabwe. On Sunday, MDC Secretary-General Tendai Biti - in South Africa - called the situation in his country 'war' and slammed the government of President Mugabe for trying to annihilate the opposition in a desperate bid to cling to power..Indications are that Tsvangirai will also visit other key African nations in an effort to rally support for the call for an immediate release of the presidential election result.

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May we be strengthened with the ability, willingness and capabilities to be good ambassadors of Nigeria contributing to its uplifting, rather than its detriment. - Cxsm

admin · Site Admin Joined: 25 May 2007 Posts: 5404

Nigeria: The Price of Being a Peace-Maker

[Opinion]

While I commend Nigeria's long-term efforts in being a Peacemaker and intervening in crisis worldwide, it should be noted that some of these nations especially the African ones are the same nations that turn around and hate Nigerians, backbiting us every time they have the opportunity after we have sacrificed our resources in time, money and manpower to aid them in their time of need. Examples include the South Africans, the Ghanaians, etc., with South Africa being the worst culprit considering all Nigeria and Nigerians did to free them from apartheid.

Nigerian employees were even mandated to yield a portion of their salaries for So. Africa's cause, while So. African students were given free education via scholarships to study in Nigerian universities, So. Africans were given free reign to set up business without regular impositions, which of course they have used to exploit Nigerians to date via telecommunications, fast food establishments, etc.

Today South Africans rob Nigerians as soon as they arrive in their country, the citizens and police unjustly maltreat and murder Nigerians who have migrated to So. Africa. They badmouth and backbite Nigerians, and to top it all, while not requiring visas from Caucasians from foreign countries, Nigerians are expected to acquire visas to enter into So. Africa.

No wonder some of us no longer feel sorry when we read some of their stories of woe. Those that bite the fingers that feed them, forget there may be consequences.

This is not to say that Nigeria should stop helping worldwide, especially its fellow African countries if and when it can, but Nigeria should exercise discernment, so they are not conned, like U.S. did when it convinced Nigeria to harbour Taylor to bring cessation to the problems in his country only to turn around and put a bounty on his head after he was given safe passage to Nigeria.

Nigeria should also look out for the best interest of its own citizens first, without sacrificing at the expense of its populace. As we have supplied all kinds of food, social, human, water, electric, educational resources among others, to other nations; while equally harbouring refugees from various war-ridden nations, we should remember that charity begins at home. It is good to be our brother's keeper, but we should at least get some assurance that our brothers aren't simply backbiters who care simply about all they can get from us, and will be willing to be there for our citizens in our time of need.

Nigeria and Nigerians are committed and used to sacrificing their lives to maintain world peace, and sometimes lose their lives in the effort, as was the case of the 36 year old Nigeria who was killed in Haiti last month during UN peacekeeping efforts; and I believe that is part of the reason God continues to bless our country and lift us up despite all the envy, backbiting and sabotages.

Long live Nigeria and Nigerians!

Cxsm
19th May '08
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May we be strengthened with the ability, willingness and capabilities to be good ambassadors of Nigeria contributing to its uplifting, rather than its detriment. - Cxsm

admin · Site Admin Joined: 25 May 2007 Posts: 5404

U.S. Wants Nigeris to Intercede in Zimbabwean Crisis

24th April '08

The United States would welcome the intercession of Nigeria or any other African nation with influence in Zimbabwe into that southern African nation's electoral impasse, State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said Wednesday. Zimbabwean opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai met briefly on Monday with former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo seeking his intervention in the election that Tsvangirai feels venerable Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe is trying to steal from him. "

As for Nigeria or any other African state's role in bringing a resolution to the current political crisis in Zimbabwe, we would encourage those who have some leverage with the government to use that leverage to bring about a peaceful resolution to what is a very deep political crisis," McCormack said.

As president of Nigeria in 2003, Obasanjo cooperated with an international effort to entice Liberia's warlord president, Charles Taylor, to accept exile in Nigeria. Liberia now is a democracy, and Taylor is on trial for war crimes in an international court in The Hague, Netherlands.
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May we be strengthened with the ability, willingness and capabilities to be good ambassadors of Nigeria contributing to its uplifting, rather than its detriment. - Cxsm

admin · Site Admin Joined: 25 May 2007 Posts: 5404