NIGERIAN DIPLOMACY AS A PARIAH NATION STATE: AN APRAISAL OF GENERAL SANI ABACHA'S FOREIGN POLICY (1993-1998)

Abstract

Gen. Sani Abacha took over from Chief Ernest Shonekan’s interim government which was formed when Gen Ibrahim Babangida “stepped aside”. On assumption of office, Abacha was faced with the imminent disintegration of the country caused by the annulment of the June 12, 1993 election, widely believed to have been won by the late businessman, Chief M. K. O. Abiola. Also, threatening the administration was the activities of the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) both at home and abroad. The main objective of this study was to appraise the General Sani Abacha’s foreign policy in light of the Nigerian Diplomacy as a pariah nation state during the regime of 1993-1998. This research examines the metamorphosis of Nigeria's foreign policy from its traditional posture of a responsible nation in the international community, to a reckless player under the military between 1993 and 1998. Nigeria's reputation as a respectable state diminished under the Abacha regime, whose tyranny led to multiple violations of human rights and breaches of international moral and legal codes. This infamous posture eroded Nigeria's track record of provision of regional and global leadership. It’s mineral and oil wealth had naturally imposed extra burdens of leadership in the continent of Africa and the world. The research critically appraises this significant transition and departure from traditional foreign policy posture and international image during the Abacha era; and using the decision-making model of analysis, it discovers that with the Abacha intervention, a new chapter of domestic travails (anti-democracy activities, state-sponsored terrorism, poor human rights records, large-scale corruption and financial crimes, and the creation of artificial insulation against the world), coupled with an unorthodox manner of dealing with the international community commenced, which clouded the good image of the past. The study involved content analysis, historical and case study designs.