History repeats itself. Initially, Britain and France never wanted the events that led to World War II to spill out of Central Europe. They had sought to “appease” Hitler’s ambitions to expand German territory in central Europe hoping to contain the conflict within the continent and avoid another major fighting after World War One, which was just some 20 years back.
We now live in times dangerously similar to September 1939. After signing a flurry of defence alliances; Germany with the Soviet Union on August 23, 1939 and Britain with Poland on September 25, 1939, Europe was building hedges of peace but also loading their cannons. Germany attacked Poland on September 1, 1939 and Britain declared war against Germany on September 3,
1939 at exactly 11:15 am after an ultimatum sent to Germany had expired at 11:00am without a response. What followed next, is now history.
The current conflict in the Middle East, carries all the hallmarks of igniting a global war. As was the case nearly 90 years ago, we are seeing Powers seeking military alliances with countries that hardly matter in global geopolitics except for their strategic importance. Other countries too are also fanning the ambers of fire to draw other nations into the conflict involving Iran on one side and America and Israel on the other.
As was the case in 1939, reasons for global conflagration do not have to be global. They usually stem from an aggressive posture to advance national interests at the expense of global peace and security. Some African countries also contemplate joining the conflict in one way or another.
However, they should remember that when Africa was fighting for freedom, its gallant fighters, men and women, were labelled terrorists. Some people in the West believe that Africa should be politically recognised and reoccupied by force if necessary. That is the real threat Africa should spare and reserve its resources for.
When Cuba sent troops to Angola to support that country’s war of independence, journalists asked then President Ronald Reagan whether America too was going to send its boots. His reply was classically disparaging: “America is not going to risk world peace and security over an African football pitch,” he said. Later, his statement was clarified that the Cubans were merely policing the land whilst America dug the oil. So why should they fight them?
In the eyes of the West, Africa is only as good as a source of raw material and mineral wealth. We have no uncles or cousins to join their wars. Yes. There are going to be hard times ahead for Africa and it probably eschew the conflict. But, when the continent is finally sucked into that conflict, it should be to defend its interests and not to support the courses of others.
