The news
that health workers were murdered while trying to eradicate Polio in Nigeria
comes as yet another warning about how far extremists (Islamic/Sharia law proponents
in this case) will go to force their beliefs upon the vast majority of the moderate
Christians and Muslims of this huge country. Nigeria has a complex makeup and a
large number of ethnic groups. Most of them have a love of their country and
hold views that mirror those of most humans; a desire to bring up their families,
receive an education and be able to provide for their families.
Take any country
and this ‘middle group’ is usually the majority, but all too often an ‘extremist
tail’ holds sway to a point that does not represent their actual numbers. The
majority does not ‘become involved’ to the extent that these marginalized do in
everyday politics. If they do, it is from a peaceful/legal perspective; quite
unlike their violent and militant opposition.
It is the
very nature of ‘moderates,’ not to use extreme methods to push their agendas.
In countries where ‘democracy is still emerging,’ the struggle itself is fraught
with danger as groups vie for the baubles of power. Where ‘religion’ is used as
the driving force to effect ‘policy,’ the picture changes from that we see in
the USA, India or indeed New Zealand, my home country, to one of violent street
movements and assassination of those opposing the views of the extreme element.
It has taken
countries like the UK a thousand years to arrive at their ‘Westminster’ system
of democracy and two centuries for the USA to practise and work their system
which in turn drew from other historical examples. We cannot expect emerging democracies
to suddenly ‘hit the mark,’ but they will work out their own systems.
They may not
mirror those of the ‘West,’ but that is their decision. Trying to impose ‘our’ systems
will not work. They will have to find their own solutions to the extremist
threat and only when ‘invited’ should the West intervene, and then only in a
manner that is agreed to by the emerging nation.
The days of
the USA and others trying to force the issue, under the guise of the UN or some
other body (NATO, EU) should be seen as an action from the past. We have seen
countless examples of such actions being counter-productive to the forces of democracy
as the local population becomes the loser. We need to look at our own histories
to see that there were whole segments of the populace that were either alienated
or subjugated during these formative periods.
Nigeria’s
struggle to become a modern democracy is one that is going to take time. As an
emerging middle-class demands an increasing say and an end to corruption, the
picture will become clearer. They will need to find a way forward to deal with
those extremists, mainly in the North of the country.
Perhaps they
can become the South Korea of Africa. That country has moved to a position that
is the envy of Asia and that struggle had its moments. Of course they have the
unsolved issue of their Northern ‘cousins.’ Religion is not the only ‘dogma’
that divides and ‘political dynasties’ also cast their controlling shadow over
the aspirations of the ever suffering populace.
For those of
us in the middle; some of us lucky enough to live in nations where the
political/power sharing desires of the citizens have outlets that do not cause
fractions and where political change is ‘peaceful.’ We should give some thought
to the struggles to those countries that have barely begun their journeys. Let
not those who wish to impose their narrow views of what constitutes the make-up
of a nation state have their way. Those in the ‘middle’ need to step up to the
mark and garner a good deal of courage in order to stand up to the ‘despots.’
Nigeria----your day will come!
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