Adamu Garba, a prominent chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has made a controversial statement suggesting that dismantling the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) will usher in unprecedented peace and stability across Africa. According to Garba, taking down the agency’s operations would result in terrorist organizations such as Boko Haram, ISWAP, and other groups engaged in unconventional warfare on the continent running out of vital resources like arms, ammunition, and reconnaissance support.
This statement follows a strong criticism of USAID from tech billionaire Elon Musk, who, in his capacity as leader of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), moved to take control of the agency. Musk, known for his outspoken views, posted on social media platform X, calling USAID a “criminal organization” and advocating for its dissolution.
Garba, responding to Musk’s assertion, echoed similar sentiments. He emphasized that by curbing the operations of non-governmental organizations (NGOs), including USAID, the northern governors of Nigeria would play a crucial role in ensuring peace and stability in the region. His call to action urged the governors to expel all NGOs from their states to disrupt the support systems that, according to him, help sustain terrorist groups operating in the region.
In his statement, Garba argued that the cessation of USAID’s operations would lead to these groups running out of resources, particularly the essential tools they need to carry out their operations, thereby weakening their ability to maintain their campaigns of violence and destabilization. He pointed to groups like Boko Haram, ISWAP, IGIS, JNIM, and various military forces conducting unconventional warfare as the primary beneficiaries of external support, which he believes can be curtailed through these actions.
This development has ignited further debate on the role of foreign aid and NGOs in conflict zones, particularly in Africa, where the influence of such organizations is often a subject of controversy. While some argue that international assistance is crucial in providing humanitarian relief, others, like Garba, view it as a potential source of support for insurgent groups that destabilize the region.
The call for action by Garba and Musk has added fuel to the ongoing discourse about foreign aid in Africa, and its possible impact on the continent’s efforts to combat terrorism and insurgency. As governments in the region continue to grapple with these issues, the conversation about the role of external organizations remains highly contentious and far from resolved.
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