Nigeria: John Kerry's Insult, Joke

28 January 2015
editorial

THE United States of America is never short of arrogance in its relations with Nigeria. The threat of its Secretary of State, John Kerry that sponsors of election-related violence would be denied American visa, was not a joke, but some in the audience applauded. It is either the United States has elevated the importance of its visa to such heights that mention of its denial amounts to a death sentence, or it was another opportunity to declare its unwillingness to help Nigeria fight the violence that has been ravaging the country, especially the North East.

What is so important about an American visa that thought of its denial would deter violent minds? What has it done about the violence in the North East, which is worse than any violence that the country has faced, apart from a civil war? Or it does not know those involved? Did the US not refuse sale of military equipment to Nigeria to combat the terrorists in the North East? Did the US not, in addition, ask other countries not to sell military equipment to Nigeria? When did the US start being concerned about violence in Nigeria? How does the US think that visa denials would deter the criminals involved in the North East, who have been increasing their attacks as the elections approach?

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