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Periodical article Periodical article Leiden University catalogue Leiden University catalogue WorldCat catalogue WorldCat
Title:Obasanjo's foreign policy under democratic rule: Nigeria's return to global reckoning?
Author:Fawole, W. AladeISNI
Year:2000
Periodical:Nigerian Journal of International Affairs
Volume:26
Issue:2
Pages:20-40
Language:English
Geographic term:Nigeria
Subjects:foreign policy
heads of State
About person:Olusegun Obasanjo (1937-)ISNI
Abstract:Before the swearing in of Olusegun Obasanjo as the new president of Nigeria in May 1999, the country was virtually a pariah on the African continent, having been subjected to military rule for the previous fifteen years. Obasanjo himself had briefly been head of state under military rule from 1976 to 1979. Having retired from the army, by 1999 he had built himself up an enviable international record by 1999 and he has since capitalized on this to improve the international position of Nigeria. Under the various military dictatorships this had been thoroughly besmirched. Since Obansanjo has come to power Nigeria has regained much of its old lustre on the continent, but it now has to share the limelight with postapartheid South Africa. It has also restored relations with its near neighbours in West Africa where it is an acknowledged leader once again. Once the resolute opponent of continuing Portuguese rule in Africa and of apartheid, Obansanjo now has other nuts to crack. One of the most difficult is to attract the attention of the West away from the Far East/Pacific Rim back to Africa. Another is to restore peace in the region, quelling insurgencies in Sierra Leone and Liberia. At the moment, Nigeria's foreign policy, while improved out of sight, is still too influenced by Obasanjo's idiosyncracies and it should most definitely take public opinion into account, strengthening the movement towards democratization growing in Nigeria. Notes, ref., sum. [ASC Leiden abstract]