Indonesia Intervenes to Weaken Tension Between ECOWAS, Niger Republic, others
The Indonesian Embassy in Nigeria has intervened in the conflict between ECOWAS and the Republics of Niger, Burkina Faso, and Mali, aiming to de-escalate tensions.
This diplomatic effort was led by the outgoing Indonesian Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Ustra Harahap, who worked to encourage these countries to remain part of ECOWAS and resolve their differences through peaceful dialogue rather than military action. His approach included direct discussions with officials in Niger, Burkina Faso, and Mali, as well as leveraging his connections to promote cooperation and stability in the region.
Sequel to the military takeover in the three countries, there was a diplomatic spat between them and ECOWAS leading to the countries forming their own regional body.
He said as an Ambassador to the 14 ECOWAS countries that he has traveled and offered advice to de-escalate the tension between Nigeria and the Niger Republic and also urged Niger, Burkina faso and Mali not to leave ECOWAS.
He said there is a need to use brotherly diplomacy rather than relationships cessation or military action to resolve the differences.
“I travelled to Niger Republic. I called the Minister of Foreign Affairs there and I told him Indonesia is your partner, please don’t leave ECOWAS. I have my brothers there and I don’t want anything to happen to them. I also communicated with my father, Sultan of Sokoto. He is like my father,” he said.
He said he equally extended the same appeals to Burkina Faso and Mali through the Indonesia Embassies in those countries.
According to him, the diplomatic relations between Nigeria and Indonesia in recent years has been described has grown in leaps and bounds, with high levels of collaboration and partnership in trade, economy, culture.
He said the relationship between Nigeria and Indonesia has been dynamic and growing stronger between government, parliament, people and businesses, as both countries have very large population which is an assets for marketing.
He said the collaboration in the economic/agriculture sector has resulted in the license for Indonesia to build a coal- based fertilizer factory to improve farming and yields in Nigeria as well as containers of Indonesia goods arriving Kano, Sokoto and other parts of the country.
“We already have a license for us to build a factory here to produce the coal-based fertilizer. So, we’re just waiting.It’s for agriculture,” he said.
He said the embassy has been able to promote current and future trade for the both countries by creating opportunities through ease of communication using the telephone, WhatsApp, Zoom and other ICT facilities, which brought about fruitful consultations, meetings, visitations and conclusion of agreements.
“I opened my telephone number to all the business.. They call me and they will be able to explain what they need to have in the relationship between Indonesian businessmen. I just felicitate, I will just call Indonesia, hey, somebody will have a business with you. What do you have? What do you need? And what is your preparation for that?
“Finally, we just make the communication by Zoom meeting. It’s our system. This Zoom meeting is very fruitful and flourishing. We also have the group WhatsApp. Finally, one of them will visit Nigeria or Nigeria will visit Indonesia,” he said
He explained that through immigration entry Visa for Nigerians coming for businesses in Indonesia has been eased, resulting to the over 170 interests that attended the 2024 Trade Expo.
He said the strategies adopted by the both countries have generated about 3.9 billion US dollar in trade between the countries which he said is a “huge success”
The diplomat said the relationship is also in the areas of human and animal health, citing a recent visit to Nigeria by the Indonesia Minister of health for partnership in the area of medicine.
“The Minister of Health in Nigeria is really happy to have the partner with Indonesia, and cooperated with us. We have already continued the discussion via Zoom meeting,” he said.
He said mission centres have also been built in some parts of the country, especially in Sokoto and Kebbi states for vaccines and artificial insemination to improve the quality of cows
Harahap said the both countries have been working on the purchase of military aircraft and Armoured personnel carriers from them at affordable prices and the training of Nigerians to maintain them to cut cost as well as make Nigeria a regional hub for maintenance of Aircrafts. He hopes the deal will be finalised soon.
“We have tried to promote our military equipment in Nigeria and the process is on,” he said
He added that the countries are sharing ideas and experiences on counter terrorism as the both are facing threats of terrorism.
He said his military background coupled with diplomatic initiatives did not allow him to concentrate at the top while doing his work, as he cascaded down to the middle and lower cadre, which enabled him to traverse the multi ethnic, religious and rural communities in Nigeria, reaching out to the less privileged among others.
He said he has visited the normadic fulanis in the bush, being to schools and built classes for them in the rural areas as well as a private mosque in Kurudu FCT named after him and the wife for Quran memorization.
“Because they are my sons, my daughters. So based on interaction and the information , he said.
On legacy, he said he has thought the staff of the embassy to take humanity first in their daily activities, be in touch with everybody, don’t separate and be of good behaviour to generations of young diplomats from Indonesia.
On his best Nigerian cuisine, he said with military background and having worked in many countries in Europe, Bosnia, Congo among others, he has adapted to eating various types foods, stressing that while working in Nigeria, apart from food forbidden by Islam, he has eaten dishes prepared by natives of the North, South, East and Western extractions with great attachment to eating “SUYA”, a locally roasted cow meat.
I like Suya very much. It is the best for me. I told you that Nigeria is my second home. I like their food.,” he said
Nigeria and Indonesia established diplomatic relations in 1965, which is now 59 years on.
Dominica Nwabufo
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