The dangers facing “Operation Logone 2015?

Preparations are being made for Chad and Cameroon to invade Nigeria in what is being called “Operation Logone 2015?. But let me give you a dose of reality based on what I know.

Any military force that crosses into Nigeria from Cameroon in the Far North Region, especially under the command of a Cameroonian general shall be seen as an invasion of Nigeria by Cameroon. The day that it happens Cameroonians should know that Nigeria will turn around and destroy Cameroon and if necessary break it up.

Let me explain. I was working in Nigeria when the ICJ pronounced the ruling on the Bakassi Peninsula. No other event, apart from the civil war, had ever had such a traumatic impact on Nigerians. The Nigerians finally accepted to hand over the Peninusular when General Martin Luther Agwai handed over the instruments of surrender to General Rene Claude Meka. The Nigerians have never forgotten this.

Today, Cameroon has invited Chadian troops to Cameroon to form a joint task force to invade Nigeria in order to fight against Boko Haram. Benin and Niger are also interested in joining this task force. These French-speaking countries (Cameroon, Chad, Niger and Benin) are playing with fire. Because of the composition of this task force, Nigeria is unlikely to give it green light to enter Nigeria.

If the joint force enters Nigeria without the explicit invitation of the Nigerian authorities, it will be seen as an invasion led by Cameroon. Such an explicit invitation cannot be issued by anyone (Goodluck Jonathan or Buhari) without the approval of the Nigerian Legislature.

Unless Cameroon and its French speaking allies receive such a legally binding invitation from Nigeria, the price for Operation Logone 2015 is going to be very heavy for Cameroon.