Through a article titled “Citizen Mobilization for Peace,” former Beninese minister Séverin Adjovi has spoken about the political situation in Niger and put forward proposals for a way out of the crisis.
The situation in Niger is a concern for all countries in the West African sub-region. Similar to other Beninese political figures, former minister Séverin Adjovi has written an article in which he has put forward proposals for a resolution to the crisis.
“Over 2500 years ago, the Greek tragedian Aeschylus extolled the dubious merits of learning wisdom through suffering. I don’t know if we have become wise, but I am certain of our misfortunes. After slavery, Africans experienced colonization: the replacement of their cultures, the exploitation of their resources, and the arbitrary allocation of nationalities decided in London or Paris. Then came the ‘Cold War’ and its array of ‘post-colonial’ conflicts,” recalled the former mayor of Ouidah in his article titled “Citizen Mobilization for Peace.”
In an analysis where he presents the African continent as a victim of so-called developed countries, Séverin Adjovi believes that Africa should not remain in a perpetual victim position.
“Today, we are experiencing an explosion in food prices. We are paying the consequences of 12 years of delirious policies by Western central banks. Did Africa have a responsibility in the industrial production of fraudulent obligations in 2008? No. Did Africa have a say in American or European monetary policy? No. Is Africa responsible for the climate disasters linked to the ‘growth’ of industrialized countries? No, but it’s always us who are presented with the bill. Famine looms over our continent, and we must not resign ourselves to being eternal victims of the mistakes or faults of others,” analyzed the former mayor of Ouidah.
He further argued that this situation is exacerbated by the war in Ukraine and its consequences on the prices of essential goods for the African continent.
A Call for Thought Mobilization The war in Ukraine already has serious consequences for African populations. Therefore, efforts must be made for the establishment of peace.
“But this call for peace in Ukraine only makes sense if we are also fiercely determined to resolve the unbearable conflicts within our large African family,” indicated the politician, referring to the threats of military intervention by ECOWAS in Niger. The former minister and former mayor of Ouidah calls for an internal revolution through mobilizations of thought.
“By delegating all responsibilities to politicians, citizens forget their own: being involved. I understand very well that the constraints of an often extremely difficult daily life do not lead us to pay close attention to serious international events. However, each individual, in this democracy that we desire, has the moral obligation to be a player in political life, meaning to be someone who thinks and acts. Therefore, as citizens, we must carry out our inner revolution. This is what I propose to each of you: let’s form a group of wise men and women of peace to act on the ground under your direct control,” reads the politician’s article.
According to him, social media will be the communication channels for this mobilization of thought. “Everyone will be a witness to the work done on a daily basis, and all will be able to express their opinions, freely formulate their criticisms, or offer encouragement,” he concluded.
A Beninese political actor, Séverin Adjovi has also been a deputy, Vice-President of the National Assembly, and Mayor of Ouidah.
