₦airaland Forum

German Consul General to Lagos, Mr Weert Borner, has cautioned leaders of West African countries against partnering with Russia for peace, security, and stability in their countries.

The German Consul stated this in his remarks at the International Conference on ECOWAS at 50 held at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, Lagos on Tuesday.

He particularly warned Sahel countries relying on Russia for their defence, in Africa Corps, noting that the relationship was not driven by true interests and respect for their countries.

Rather, Borner said Russia was playing a “Power and Resource” game aimed at having the ability to influence and control the allocation and distribution of resources.


He argued that the lack of sincere interest in the development of African countries is epitomised by the fact that Russia had no concrete, impactful project in West Africa.

“Do not regard Russia under President Putin as a reliable partner on peace and stability in the region.

“From Russia’s direct neighbourhood to various parts of Africa, Putin’s Russia is playing a power and resource game without respect for the true interests of the respective country or region.

“The former Wagner mercenaries are now acting in several African countries, including parts of West Africa, as so-called Africa Corps, directly guided by the Russian Ministry of Defence in Moscow. I do not know of any concrete Russian project in West Africa that can have a positive impact on the well-being of West Africa’s nations and people,” Borner said.


The Consul General noted that the ECOWAS remained under high pressure following the exit of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger, apart from the issues of terrorism, banditry and organised crime across the region.


As against Russia, he said the German Federal Government’s commitment to addressing the root causes of terrorism and instability in the ECOWAS countries can be seen in a budget of €500 million for various projects in the region.

He added that the German government supported the ECOWAS Commission in mediation and crisis prevention.

“We are offering training for peace-keeping units, both for military, police and civil personnel. We are co-financing and offering technical support for an ECOWAS partnership for cybersecurity.

“We are financing several programmes for enhancing stability and good governance in specifically fragile areas of the ECOWAS region,” he added.

Specifically, Borner said Germany is consulting and financing seven regional energy infrastructure projects within ECOWAS, contributing to improving medical laboratory infrastructure and family planning services in the region.


Resident Representative of Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung in Nigeria, Marija Peran, called on ECOWAS to deepen regional integration, security, and economic governance over the next 50 years.

She lamented the persistent threats of political instability, terrorism, unconstitutional changes of government, insecurity, and transnational crime across the region.

“Economic asymmetry between nations threatens the principles of equitable growth. The elusive dream of a single currency remains hampered by structural hurdles. Political instability and unconstitutional changes of government continue to test the democratic fabric of ECOWAS. And perhaps most pressing, the scourge of insecurity—terrorism, insurgency, and transnational crimes—casts a long shadow over our collective progress.

“In this defining moment, let us invoke the spirit of the founding fathers—not merely in reverence but in renewed purpose. The next 50 years should be defined by deeper economic integration, reinforced political cohesion, and an unwavering commitment to security and prosperity for every West African citizen,” she said.

Director-General of the NIIA, Prof. Eghosa Osaghae, expressed hope that ECOWAS would overcome its current challenges within the next decade, noting that the body had built resilience over time.

He praised Gen. Yakubu Gowon and the late President Gnassingbé Eyadéma of Togo for setting up the ECOWAS as a reference point for regional integration.

Dignitaries at the event included former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon; ex-Minister of Foreign Affairs, Prof. Bolaji Akinyemi; Secretary to the Lagos State Government, Mrs Bimbola Salu-Hundeyin; 2023 Social Democratic Party presidential candidate, Adewole Adebayo; former Foreign Affairs Minister, Major Gen Ike Nwachukwu (retd); Mrs Erelu Dosumu-Abiola; Commandant-General, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Dr Abubakar Audi; Prof. Olawale Albert; and Prof Bola Akinterinwa.

aribisala0:
The problem with our youth is ignorance

Do you know the history of Germany in Nigeria , specifically the part of Cameroon that used to be part of Nigeria and World War 1 that was actually fought there>

Now go and read what the Germans did to the people of Namibia


Today GERMAN descendant control most of the land in Namibia


With all their expertise have they helped us in electricity? No they do not want to see us grow

They are not our friens

Sheuns:
Germany that was part of the European countries that divided and shared Africa as their real estate until other European countries took control from them during the European War?

10thTenthMan:
He is an idiot.

A BIG FAT IDIOT. AND, HE CAN ONLY TELL THAT TO THE IDIOTS WHO HAVE AGREED TO LISTEN TO HIM. What does he expect? These countries are picking the lesser evil. I DONT LIKE IT, BUT HE HAS NO RIGHT TO PREACH AGAINST THE SAME THING THEY ARE STILL SHAMELESSLY DOING.

The German Consul General’s warning to West African leaders against partnering with Russia reeks of the same imperialist arrogance that has plagued Africa for centuries. While he accuses Russia of playing a "power and resource game," the West—Germany, France, the UK, the US, and Canada—has perfected this very exploitation, disguising it as "aid" and "development."

Abi make we talk about resource theft & economic strangulation too? For decades, Western corporations have looted Africa’s minerals, oil, and gas while leaving its people in poverty. France’s CFA Franc keeps 14 African nations economically enslaved, forcing them to deposit 50% of their foreign reserves in Paris. The UK’s BP and Shell have plundered Nigeria’s oil, causing environmental devastation with zero accountability. Germany’s Siemens and Volkswagen profit from cheap African resources while lecturing Africans on "good governance."

Do we mention the Regime Change & Instability caused by Germany and her so called allies including France? The West claims to promote democracy, yet it overthrows leaders who resist exploitation. France’s assassination of Thomas Sankara (Burkina Faso) and America’s role in Patrice Lumumba’s murder (Congo) prove this. In 2011, NATO destroyed Libya under the guise of "human rights," turning Africa’s most prosperous nation into a terrorist haven. Now, the Sahel nations (Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger) are rejecting France, and the West panics—not because it cares about "terrorism," but because it’s losing control.

Should we talk about Fake Aid & Conditional Support? Germany boasts of €500 million in "stability projects," yet it arms Saudi Arabia and Israel, who fuel wars in Yemen and Palestine. The US spends billions on AFRICOM but refuses to stop terror financing from Gulf allies. When African nations seek alternatives (like Russia’s Africa Corps), the West suddenly remembers "human rights"—the same rights it ignores in Palestine, Congo, and Sudan.

Africa Must Choose Its Partners. The West’s hypocrisy stinks. It steals resources, destabilizes nations, then offers pennies in aid while blocking real solutions. If Russia, China, or any other nation provides actual military support against jihadists (unlike France’s fake "Barkhane" operations) or infrastructure without colonial strings, Africa has every right to choose them. The era of Western monopoly over African sovereignty is over.

Enough with the lies. Africa will no longer beg for scraps from its exploiters.


ONCE AGAIN SIR, ON BEHALF OF MANY SANE NIGERIANS, YOU ARE AN IDIOT SIR!!!

aribisala0:
The problem with our youth is ignorance

Do you know the history of Germany in Nigeria , specifically the part of Cameroon that used to be part of Nigeria and World War 1 that was actually fought there>

Now go and read what the Germans did to the people of Namibia


Today GERMAN descendant control most of the land in Namibia


With all their expertise have they helped us in electricity? No they do not want to see us grow

They are not our friens

rdokoye:
Sentiment is not going to make you develop. Asia also suffered at the hands of Europe. Do you see them adopting the same stance? If it's beneficial, then it shouldn't be rejected, just because of the past. All nations act in their best interest and that's all the West was doing. There is nothing inherently evil about the West, and if you think there is, then the problem is YOU.

lordm:
USA is better than Russia