TUNDE ADEGBITE
Despite the recent review, United States President Donald Trump’s travel ban remains a critical cause for debates all over the world. Why should Libya, Iran, Iraq, Sudan, Syria, Somalia and Yemen be the only countries in the world listed for ban? Is it American enough to do so? Why does Trump want to punish innocent citizens of these countries that are simple easy-going Muslims travelling in and out of the United States for the wrongs of a few? If Nigeria was on that list, does that mean that no Nigerian will fly into the US in those 90 days? Are there really implications and what are the lessons?
I have read Prof. Wole Soyinka’s past posts on his refusal to fly to countries like Australia and South Africa at a time and also, how at the victory of Trump, he gave up the hopes of residing again in the US. For the Nobel Laureate, Trump won over a larger group of Americans with words that shows racism, promotes white supremacy and black inferiority. Before this travel ban, Soyinka had decided to peg his visits to the US, insisting that Trump rode to victory on the wings of racism. The poet left to create a final home for himself where he cannot be banned.
I find it very difficult to say that Trump was wrong in banning the entries of these foreign citizens. I have four reasons for this. Firstly, the war against terrorism is a global war, not an American war; but over the years, the US seems to have been paying the highest price for it. Secondly, terrorists bomb everyone and anyone, including moderate Muslims, without remorse and the US appears like a major target for these terrorists in the last 16 years. Thirdly, no country in the world has spent and is spending as much on fighting terrorism like the United States, hence the most threatened must be the most reactive. Fourthly, America will not protect the interests of others at the detriment of itself, especially when it may involve attacks and the loss of lives of Americans too.
Yet, the unanswered questions for Trump are, “Will America continue to own the top companies in the world like Apple, Microsoft, Google, etc. with this kind of ban? Why also should Libyan Christians and other moderate Muslims from these nations suffer this ban? Does Trump think Americans cannot be radicalised to commit acts of terrorism too? Is the US President sure that this will not lead to the economic fall of the American nation and, thus, the emergence of China or Vladimir Putin’s Russia? Won’t this grow anti-Americanism in climes where this never existed?
Comparing the two arguments for Trump’s travel ban, I could see clearly that one is focused on the safety of lives of American residents, while the other is emphasising economic gains and protection of non-Americans. With that, the position of the ‘passionate’ American president and realist is clear. I hate to accept Trump’s scientific “stop the growth, find and kill the cancer” approach – but the truth is, you don’t speak English to cancer, you attack it; and terrorism is cancer. Some good non-carcinogenic human cells around the cancer cells may have to lose their lives for the whole human body to survive. The loss of a breast is better than the loss of a life.
Recently, Trump must have complied with the court order in the US, but he has made his point, knowing fully well that China and Russia won’t wait for 16 years for full cleansing if the unfortunate 9/11 happened to any of them. From now, we won’t hold America’s security network responsible alone anymore. America will also hold its judiciary responsible. In addition, there may be more intensified efforts to think and curb racism, terrorism and anti-Americanism in the Middle East, as Trump’s travel ban will trigger caution. Attempts to attack American embassies in Libya, Iraq etc. might not generate positive executive decisions within the United States in favour of those countries. Right within the so called Islamic State terrorist group right now, there will be serious caution and realignments too.
Whether Trump and the US lift the travel ban on these countries or not, we, as Nigerians, must ask ourselves straightforward questions. What has America done and achieved that makes her the choice destination for many citizens of other countries? Will an American ever live his/her country to come stay with the Tutsis in Rwanda or people in Nigeria, except on business or marital grounds? An American president revoked a valid travel ban because of the order of a judge, whereas in Africa less than three months ago, a president decided to ignore the electoral wishes of 1.8 million people and was bent on holding on to power by all means until he saw warships! In my country, Nigeria, the particular judge that ruled against Trump’s travel ban would have been ignored and probably sanctioned by the powers that be. There are several lessons for Nigeria and Africa; one of them being that that the world is happy to live in a country free of Al-Shabaab, ISIS, Al Qaeda and Boko Haram.
In the far corners of the Middle East, one will continue to hear statements like, “I hate America, but I love her products.” Even the late Osama Bin Laden loved Whitney Houston. These are clear indicators that, on one hand, a country (like the US) that is run by democracy, good governance and the rule of law will continue to be the choice of all nations. On the other hand, a country that ignores education, the rule of law and good governance to tolerate illiteracy, unemployment and corruption will soon have citizens working for terrorist or militant groups.
Adegbite sent in this piece via ourwale@gmail.com
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