South Africa’s plan to fight Boko Haram hazardous

By Don-Martin Whande

In my last instalment from last week, I highlighted the importance and urgency that the SADC bloc must attach to border security.

I also highlighted on the need for the bloc to do away with the individualistic approach when it comes to national matters.

This is because the strength of a few joint entities surpasses that of many disjointed entities. So, such important issues, if ever at all they are addressed, will be beneficial in that, if properly addressed, they will result in a more potent and secure bloc.

Some people, who managed to read my installment which appeared in The Telegraph Newspaper on (28.01.2015), thought I sounded crazy to talk about the possibility of a Boko Haram attack in Southern Africa.

But it’s not crazy after all seeing that, last week, it was reported that South Africa might join the fight against Boko Haram.

Although South African soldiers aren’t involved in the battle yet, the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) is ready to deploy its troops if called upon to assist Nigeria with fighting Boko Haram insurgents, whose presence has diffused resentment among the general populace.

Such an act of camaraderie between South Africa and Nigeria should be highly praised although I am of the belief that this is supposed to be the responsibility of countries in the ECOWAS bloc to assist a wounded and ailing soldier (Nigeria) and not South Africa.

For South Africa to specially select its soldiers to go on a dangerous mission behind enemy lines in the West African country is objectionable as well as dangerous.

Whilst i understand the humanitarian duty to protect weighed down groups and the justifiable imperative to support Nigeria in strategies to uphold its own internal security, I am rather concerned with the timing.

Using that logic we need to be aware that any nation that squares up against terrorists, or in this case, Boko Haram, should expect terror as an end result.

Considering the magnitude of this odd decision by the South Africa, it makes me wonder if SADC defense and security ministers have met to discuss and deliberate on the ramifications of South Africa’s planned involvement in this war.

Is the SADC bloc in consensus on South Africa’s planned involvement? Once again, the “every man for himself God for us all’’ approach that I highlighted last week is at play.

Why does South Africa have to make a decision, which might be fatal to the bloc, without getting the nod from other SADC members? This seemingly good move by South Africa today will definitely be tomorrow’s problem because South Africa has just opened the gates of barbarism and war on Southern Africa.

Whilst I oppose the decision by South Africa, it is not entirely to blame for this dicey proposal. Nigeria’s President’s yawning approach toward addressing this menace has resulted in him suffering a moral deficit due to recurring errors.

To make matters worse, Jonathan’s lack of prudence in addressing the Chibok schoolgirls kidnapping, who allegedly were married off by Abubakar Shekau, worsens the image of the Nigeria government which is now drowning in negatives.

Welcome to Africa

South Africa’s plan to fight against Boko Haram is a hazardous suggestion. On the one hand, here is an evil opponent that provides South Africa with an opportunity to prove itself as a responsible international contributor. On the other hand, South Africa, and by extension SADC, could find itself in a dilemma due to the consequences that may result.

However, what is important to note is the fact that such a move by South Africa has a reciprocal devastation on the bloc.

If we are to rewind time a bit, we would discover that the reason Kenya was attacked by Al-Shabaab is because they sent troops to assist Somalia fight terrorists. And unfortunately, the Kenyans paid a heavy price as the militants attacked civilians at the Westgate shopping mall resulting in at least 67 deaths and over 175 people wounded.

Obviously South Africa is very much aware that by sending troops to Nigeria, it will also be making not only its citizens vulnerable, but also the SADC bloc which has enjoyed relative peace from outlaws and uncivilised barbarians such as Boko Haram.

This is the reason why in my last installment I emphasised the need not only for serious investing in border security but also the importance of the SADC bloc to adopt a unified binding response to terrorism.

In conclusion, the risk of Boko Haram bandits destabilising the SADC bloc is very high if South Africa gets involved. South Africa must pose and allow West African leaders to come up with a solid tactical plan to fight Boko Haram.

Boko Haram is a group of deranged individuals with atavistic impulses which pose a potent threat to Africa’s sovereignty. Their bizarre brand of Islam is not only dishonourable, but uncivilised and needs to be stomped into the ground forthwith. South Africa can justify the fight against Boko Haram, but the question is where will it end?