Let it burn or let them in: AU picks foreign troops for Nigeria.

Nigeria is in flames—quite literally. With revolts erupting nationwide, the government is losing control fast. Nigerians are shouting louder than ever: “Help us, Western powers!” Faced with all the chaos, the delegates of the

African Union were given two options:

1. Let the country burn.

2. Let foreign powers get more involved in Nigeria’s military intervention

   
   

Spoiler alert: they chose option 2.

In a hurried vote that felt more like a collective sigh of defeat, most AU delegates voted to let Western troops intervene in Nigeria’s crisis. Yes, most of them. Even the countries that usually shout the loudest about sovereignty gave in.

But let’s not pretend this is a neat solution. Letting foreign powers march into Nigeria isn’t a peace plan—it’s a gamble with loaded dice.

History hasn’t been kind when it comes to Western military “help” in Africa. From Libya to the Congo, interventions have often left behind more destruction than democracy. There’s no guarantee that this new “rescue mission” won’t turn into a long-term occupation—or worse, a modern colonization disguised as help.

This decision also cracks the AU’s image. What does it say when Africa’s leadership can’t handle one of its biggest crises without calling in outsiders? It screams dependency, not diplomacy—and that might haunt the continent long after the dust settles.

Hana Mukunu,

Xinhua News