Analysis: Why Nigerians Raised the Russian Flag, the Grave Implications, and Everything in Between

If the crime of raising another flag within a sovereign nation such as Nigeria can be excused by some simple analogy, the implications of such actions might be weightier and potentially more disastrous than any message the flagbearers intended to convey, who might or might not be aware of the implications of their actions and the legal ramifications.

During the recent EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protest, which witnessed a shocking turnout in most Northern States, leading to a series of curfews to prevent emerging riots from spiralling out of control, some demonstrators, believed to be Nigerians, were seen with Russian flags.

Not surprisingly, that footage, which understandably went viral, elicited a chain of discussions, particularly from those who genuinely understand what a Russian flag has come to symbolize in Africa.

What the Russian Flag has come to represent in Africa

Before getting into the complex legal implications of having another flag raised within a sovereign state, albeit in the manner the Russian flag was flown, it could be worthwhile to first explore how the flag of the former Soviet republic has come to represent not only anti-Westernism but also the forceful overthrow of governments through military coups.

To cite recent examples, in July 2023, when President Mohamed Bazoum of Niger was ousted by a military coup, not only did people celebrate with Russian flags, but as Reuters put it in their August 9 publication, “Niger’s tailors rushed to make Russian flags” to meet the growing demand for the white, blue, and red-coloured flag.

In fact, Niger Republic is not the first country in Africa where this pro-Russian sentiment has been recorded, either after a coup or a protest.

In recent years, there has been a rising anti-Western sentiment in Africa, with citizens replacing their denunciation of Western political systems with an embrace of Russia, a country led by Vladimir Putin, a man whose actions and ideas are often considered anti-West.

In May 2021, when thousands of Ethiopians staged a protest in the capital city of Addis Ababa to denounce US “meddling” in their internal affairs after Washington sanctioned several Ethiopian and Eritrean officials over the conflict in the Tigray region, it was the Russian flag, along with portraits of Putin, that was raised.

Around the same time, in Mali, West Africa, protesters welcomed the military regime of Colonel Assimi Goita with Russian flags. The case was the same after Burkina Faso’s coup in September 2022.

Why Africans are denouncing Westernism

The widely held notion previously whispered among politically literate citizens and even “experts” grounded in matters like international politics—that Nigeria, and Africa at large, moved from years of colonialism to an even more economically inhibiting factor like neoimperialism, orchestrated by Western governments and their institutions—appears to have dangerously made its way into the minds of ordinary Nigerians.

The gist often follows a similar loose trail—that African countries are being incentivized by the West and its institutions through loans and other economic deals which, superficially seeming beneficial, when analyzed in-depth are not just hollow but sabotage the economy of Africa.

Hence, it is not surprising that almost all the African countries that have witnessed a coup in recent times have severed ties with their former Western colonial rulers.

In December 2023, the Nigerien military-led government suspended the International Organisation of La Francophonie (OIF), after it ordered French officials in the country, including the military, to leave. It was the same in Mali after the military took over, deciding instead to work along with Russian mercenaries in its fight against jihadist insurgency in the Sahel.

With this shift in international diplomatic alignment, Western apparent hold in Africa appears to have witnessed a retrogression parallel to the noticeable increase of China and Russia’s influence on the continent.

For instance, in fiscal year 2021, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the U.S. Department of State claimed to have provided $8.5 billion of assistance to 47 countries and 8 regional programs in sub-Saharan Africa. However, in 2022, the official website of USAID reported that it provided $6 billion in lifesaving, multi-sector humanitarian assistance to the whole continent.

However, China’s influence is increasing in Africa through its aid, loans, and trade partnerships. According to the China Africa Research Initiative, 45 percent of China’s aid between 2013 and 2018 went to Africa. In trade, the Africa-China trade partnership has grown from $176 billion in 2020 to $261 billion in 2022.

Although Russia’s influence in Africa is largely not economic in nature, as the relationship has produced only $18 billion in trade with African countries, its advocacy for a multi-polar world political system has continued to garner support across the continent.

Another supposed reason is the LGBTQ movement propelled mainly by Western countries. For long, African countries have made their clear intent to distance themselves from the movement, with about 32 countries on the continent having anti-gay laws.

Recently, the Nigerian government witnessed backlash when an opinion, published in a Nigerian newspaper, alleged that the $150 billion Samoa Agreement signed by Bola Tinubu’s administration contained clauses that mandated Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) rights. Despite the government’s consistent refutation, the rumor spread, as Nigerians continued to express their disapproval of the deal.

Implications of Waving a Foreign Flag in Nigeria

The act as seen during the protest has been sternly condemned by security forces, with the Chief of Defence Staff, Christopher Musa, calling it a treasonable offense.

Although some experts disagree that hoisting a foreign flag in Nigeria is an offense, as Inibehe Effiong, a human rights lawyer, argued that foreign flags are used in the decoration of offices and businesses in the country, many seem to agree that the intent behind carrying the flag, in such a manner as was seen in the circulating videos, could be described as a punishable offense.

According to Section 38 of the Criminal Code Act, any person who instigates any foreigner to invade Nigeria with an armed force is guilty of treason and is liable to the punishment of death.

Similarly, Section 44 of the same act proposes life imprisonment for any person who incites mutiny in Nigeria.

“In the ways and manner the Russian flag was flown as we saw in the protest, it constitutes a criminal offense and could easily be seen as a felony,” Dr. Robert Ekat, Neusroom’s political analyst said.

Human rights activist and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Femi Falana also echoed the same sentiment in a recent interview.

According to Dr. Ekat, some Nigerians who understand the political implications of carrying a Russian flag are taking advantage of some Nigerians who might not have the educational exposure to understand what their actions of carrying a Russian flag entail.

“One way to look at it is that the people raising the flag do not understand the consequences. Looking at the people who raised this flag, one can guess that their level of education is not so high,” he said.

“So, I believe that the act was sponsored. Someone with a broad intellectual understanding of the political implications of carrying a Russian flag is pressing the button.”

Although the Russian government denied instigating the use of its flag in the protest, at least 40 people have been arrested by security operatives in connection with the issue as the Nigerian government continues its effort to quell any pro-Russia sentiments in the country.

While the protests lost momentum almost immediately after President Tinubu’s speech on Sunday, hunger, insecurity, and some other economic challenges that fueled the demonstration still persist in the African country of over 200 million people.