Last week, on June 8, 2013, marked the death of Nigeria’s military ruler, General Sani Abacha. Some of the tributes I have read about the General, however, appeared to have ignored his role in the promotionof peace and stability in Africa, especially in Sierra Leone and Liberia, which were enmeshed in fratricidal wars and struggle for power by individual warlords. The political crises in Sierra Leone and Liberia were Abacha’s first major test in international affairs. In fact, he wowed even the Western nations that had originally written him off merely as a power-hungry General.

However, the manner Abacha gave a good account of himself by restoring peace and stability in Sierra Leone and Liberia had forced his critics, at least privately, to re-examine their attitude towards a military rulerthey dismissed as a man “who had nothing to offer.” The late General Abacha disappointed them by the effective way he asserted himself and forced his critics to open their eyes to re-think.

Until Abacha’s intervention, Liberia was at the mercy of warlords. Worse still, Nigerians were facing hostility from Liberians because of the perception that Nigeria’s intervention in 1990 was designed to keep the late Liberian leader, General Samuel Doe in power. Many rebel leaders and their supporters believed that Nigeria’s interest was to protect Doe and frustraterebel advances to oust him from power.

Such perception had created a credibility problem for Nigeria. When General Abacha came to power, however, he took measures to convince the warning factions that his government had no candidate inLiberia. Abacha laid the foundation for restoring Nigeria’s credibility in Liberia, which ultimately persuade the rebel groups to lay down their arms and seek power through the democratic process.

General Abacha’s role in Sierra Leone was just as impressive. The United Revolutionary Front (RUF), led by late Captain Kuroma, overthrew a democratically elected government in Sierra Leone, headed by Alhaji Ahmed Tijjan Kabbah. Nigeria rejected the disruption of the democratic process and intervened decisively to force the rebels outof power. Ahmed Kabbah was restored to power, which led to stability that paved the way for future democratic elections.

Even Abacha’s incurable critics must admit that the late military Head of State was extraordinarily courageous. General Abacha defied the 10-year-long international air embargo imposed on Libya and flew into Tripoli to demonstrate solidarity with the late Libyan leader, Colonel Muammar Ghaddafi. Many African leaders found their voices after the solidarity visit to Libya by Abacha. Although many African leaders believed that the air embargo was unjustly too long and oppressive, none of them had the spunk to take the initiative to defy the sanctions. It took General Abacha to make them summon the courage to call for an end to the air embargo. Commitment to the embargo or compliance with it collapsed naturally after Abacha’s defiant official visit to Libya by air.

The Western nations had perceived Abacha as “stubborn” and “arrogant,” but such was the only posture necessary in dealing with powerful countries that expect smaller nations to grovel at their feet to beg for mercy or life. Gen Abacha would have none of that. It was not surprising, therefore, why the Western nations were not comfortable with his leadership style.

According to a Latin American political scholar, “Smaller nations if adequately organized and led can defend their independence.” Subservience was not in Gen. Abacha’s politicaldictionary. When the Western nations imposed limited sanctions on Nigeria to punish the Abacha administration, the General turned to China to do business. In fact, because of their economic interests, they were not united on the issue. France chose to do business withNigeria, despite the so-called sanctions.

Prejudice stands in the way of objectivity and fairness in the assessment of others. In the eyes of Abacha’s enemies, nothing good can be attributed to his administration. Fair-minded Nigerians, therefore, have a duty to bring out the good things he did for Nigeria. Prejudice cannot stand in the face of solid facts, even if Abacha’s critics pretend not to see those achievements. Abacha’s critics are hypocrites who cannot see the chinks in their own moral armour.

Ok....presidents that usually defy western powers dnt usually end well
btw,..abacha didn't die last week