Diplomatic niceties are associated with statesmanship. When these qualities are deficient in the conduct and oration of a President, diplomacy savvy observers squirm in their seats, knowing the repercussions of these slips. Call them diplomatic etiquettes and you would not be erring.
We saw a large volume of these slips in the remarks of our President on the international turf where he has been active in recent times showing off, as it were, his mastery of international geopolitics. Unfortunately, he went too far and ended up losing the little he had managed to garner for his image.
Indeed, some of the slips could cost us the little deference we could be spotting in the international comity of civilised nations, and even reduce us to a laughing stock.
President John Mahama?s decision to delve into Ivorian politics, as it were, was as unnecessary as it was outlandish, given our proximity to that country. It was the beginning of his avoidable slips. Their effects could be witnessed in the not-too-distant future in various forms and this is why we are disturbed.
That we are engaged in a contentious maritime boundary dispute and even heading for a critical arbitration should have informed our President?s discretion in airing his opinion about an approaching election in La Cote d?Ivoire.
He was heard loud and clear endorsing his support for the Ivorian strongman?s bid for a second term at the presidency in a country dangerously polarised along ethnic lines.
Aggravating the situation is the fact that the country is smarting from a fractious civil war that pushed her to the precipice. But for the French intervention?using adequate firepower?that country could have been dismembered.
Our President could have been carried away by the glitters of office. Perhaps he seeks to calm the tempers of the Ivorians as they gird their loins for a diplomatic row over the contentious maritime property.
As if that was not enough diplomatic goof, President Mahama looked towards the rather murky and complex Middle East?a turf reserved for the superpowers?to pitch his camp.
He has dealt a blow to the Party of Allah, Hizbollah?the political grouping held in high esteem in Lebanon and in the Arab world?describing it as a band of terrorists.
By this definition, Ghana has subtly put herself in the line of fire of the burning Middle East of which Lebanon is a critical component. If we may ask, is it necessary? Has he been overwhelmed by his position of Chairman of ECOWAS?
