https://en.sputniknews.africa/20231124/nigerias-ex-presidential-spokesman-puts-non-aligned-movement-in-lead-of-neocolonialism-struggle-1063766888.html
Nigeria's ex-Presidential Spokesman Puts Non-Aligned Movement in Lead of Neocolonialism Struggle
Nigeria's ex-Presidential Spokesman Puts Non-Aligned Movement in Lead of Neocolonialism Struggle
Sputnik Africa
The Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) was founded in 1961 to promote the interests of developing countries in the confrontation of the Cold War. The Movement embraces... 24.11.2023, Sputnik Africa
2023-11-24T14:21+0100
2023-11-24T14:21+0100
2023-11-24T15:16+0100
sub-saharan africa
non-aligned movement
nigeria
west africa
muhammadu buhari
france
neocolonialism
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The Non-Aligned Movement, founded after the WWII to counter colonialism, and later recognized as a 'powerful voice for freedom' in the Cold War era, "went to sleep" after the collapse of the bipolar system, and it seemed to have lost its purpose, Garba Shehu, spokesman for Nigeria's former president, Muhammadu Buhari, wrote in Nigeria's Punch newspaper.However, since the end of the Cold War, colonialism has transformed into neocolonialism - a method of controlling nations through money, debt and media - and the recently "revived" Movement must now resist neocolonial practices to prevent the world from becoming a more impoverished and dangerous place, Shehu explained.Shehu highlighted France as "the world’s leading neocolonial force" citing its policies in Africa, the Pacific and the South Caucasus.In particular, West and Central Africa accuse Paris of "hamstringing their nations decades after colonialism was supposed to have ended" by maintaining control over the West and Central African franc, currencies used by 14 African countries, the ex-spokesman noted.Shehu added that over the year, "country after country in French-speaking Africa has demanded that French military, diplomats, and business interests leave."Addressing France's Pacific policy, Shehu noted that France has been accused of refusing to grant further independence to the French territory of New Caledonia. In addition, he noted that France's "neocolonial interests" extend beyond its former colonial possessions, citing, for instance, its alleged interference in disrupting the peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan in the South Caucasus. Concerns have been raised about Paris attempting to sell arms to Armenia, and French diplomats have publicly rebuked Azerbaijan while vilifying it in the media, noted by Shehu.Instead, he urged Paris to support peace efforts between Azerbaijan and Armenia and dissuade its leaders from meddling in regional conflicts "to manipulate events to court French-Armenian votes at home."The former official concluded that in 2024, the chairmanship of the group will pass to Uganda, which is currently under "pressure from neocolonialist powers" to repeal the child protection law, allowing modern Western social mores to be taught in its schools.Before Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, NAM was chaired by Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro from 2016 to 2019, and prior to that by political titans such as Cuban leader Fidel Castro, South African liberation fighter Nelson Mandela, and Yugoslav President Josip Tito.
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https://en.sputniknews.africa/20231109/frances-double-standard-policy-hits-reputation-in-africa-report-1063428600.html
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non-aligned movement, nigeria, west africa, muhammadu buhari, france, neocolonialism
non-aligned movement, nigeria, west africa, muhammadu buhari, france, neocolonialism
Nigeria's ex-Presidential Spokesman Puts Non-Aligned Movement in Lead of Neocolonialism Struggle
14:21 24.11.2023 (Updated: 15:16 24.11.2023) The Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) was founded in 1961 to promote the interests of developing countries in the confrontation of the Cold War. The Movement embraces 120 countries, or 60% of the UN membership, and 17 states and 10 organizations have observer status in the organization.
The Non-Aligned Movement, founded after the WWII to counter colonialism, and later recognized as a 'powerful voice for freedom' in the Cold War era, "went to sleep" after the collapse of the bipolar system, and it seemed to have lost its purpose, Garba Shehu, spokesman for Nigeria's former president, Muhammadu Buhari, wrote in Nigeria's Punch newspaper.
However, since the end of the Cold War, colonialism has transformed into
neocolonialism - a method of controlling nations through money, debt and media - and the recently "revived" Movement must now resist neocolonial practices to prevent the world from becoming a more impoverished and dangerous place, Shehu explained.
"NAM is back, and all its members starting with Nigeria have a duty to – and benefit from – ensuring that it flourishes. Without a constant international group to stand up against neocolonialism both western and eastern, the world will be poorer, less safe, and more prone to conflict," he wrote.
Shehu highlighted France as "the world’s leading neocolonial force" citing its policies in Africa, the Pacific and the South Caucasus.
In particular, West and Central Africa accuse Paris of "hamstringing their nations decades after colonialism was supposed to have ended" by maintaining control over the West and Central African franc, currencies used by 14 African countries, the ex-spokesman noted.
"These nations, as widely reported, must deposit at least 50 per cent of their foreign assets in the French Treasury, clearly a way for France to maintain economic dominance over them," he pointed out.
Shehu added that over the year,
"country after country in French-speaking Africa has demanded that French military, diplomats, and business interests leave."Addressing France's Pacific policy, Shehu noted that France has been accused of refusing to grant further independence to the French territory of New Caledonia.
"After three independence referenda, with last of these in 2021, the general belief among many is that this was intentionally derailed by security pressure," Shehu opined.
In addition, he noted that France's "neocolonial interests" extend beyond its former colonial possessions, citing, for instance, its alleged interference in disrupting the peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan in the South Caucasus. Concerns have been raised about Paris attempting to sell arms to Armenia, and French diplomats have publicly rebuked Azerbaijan while vilifying it in the media, noted by Shehu.
Instead, he urged
Paris to support peace efforts between Azerbaijan and Armenia and dissuade its leaders from meddling in regional conflicts
"to manipulate events to court French-Armenian votes at home.""Standing up against such attempts of geopolitical manipulation is exactly what NAM was created for," Shehu noted, adding that under Azerbaijan’s leadership in 2019-2023 "the group has been widely recognized as revived."
The former official concluded that in 2024, the chairmanship of the group will pass to
Uganda, which is currently under "pressure from neocolonialist powers" to repeal the child protection law, allowing modern Western social mores to be taught in its schools.
"The Ugandans reject this – and Nigeria should also reject neocolonialist demands on this fellow, independent and sovereign African country," he pointed out.
Before Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, NAM was chaired by Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro from 2016 to 2019, and prior to that by political titans such as Cuban leader Fidel Castro, South African liberation fighter Nelson Mandela, and Yugoslav President Josip Tito.
