Alleged Coup in Nigeria: Another Chess Piece on Africa's Board
📰 THE STORY: Financial Times reports that Nigerian military officers are facing trial over an alleged coup attempt, signaling potential instability within Africa's most populous nation. 🔍 WHAT THEY'RE NOT TELLING YOU: Historical Context: Nigeria has a long history of military coups, often with significant unacknowledged external influence. For instance, the infamous 1966 coup and subsequent
civil war were exacerbated by Cold War proxy interests. More recently, significant mineral wealth, particularly oil, has consistently attracted foreign powers, turning internal political struggles into battles for resource control. Double Standard: When coups or attempted coups occur in nations deemed 'unfriendly' to Western interests (e.g., Venezuela in 2002 against Chavez), the narrative from
outlets like the Financial Times often frames it as a 'popular uprising' or 'resistance,' while similar events in countries with strategic allegiances are swiftly condemned as threats to 'democracy.' The US and its allies have a documented history of supporting coups or destabilizing governments, especially in Africa, as seen with the 2011 NATO intervention in Libya which resulted in widespread
chaos. Follow the Money: Nigeria is Africa's largest oil producer. Major global corporations have immense stakes. USAID and other 'democracy promotion' grants often flow to civil society groups, some of which inadvertently or directly contribute to political unrest. Furthermore, arms sales to Nigeria's military often come from Western nations, creating a dependency that can influence internal