The Niger Republic’s military government has ordered police to expel France’s ambassador, a move marking a further downturn in relations.
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ASHENEWS reports that the Center for Peace Studies of the Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto (UDUS), has called on the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to lift all sanctions imposed on Niger Republic.
About half of 32 military coups between 1989 and 2017 resulted in a return to civilian rule, but only if military leaders felt that they were unlikely to suffer detrimental effects from surrendering power to nonmilitary leaders.
France’s ambassador to Niger would stay in the country in spite pressure to leave from leaders of a recent coup, President Emmanuel Macron said in a speech to diplomats on Monday.
A statement from the Niger Republic’s Ministry of National Defense says its Defense and Security Forces (SFDS), has killed dozens of terrorists who were preparing to attack Banibangou and Abala (Tillabéri region).
Is ECOWAS ready to go to war with our closest ally (Niger Republic) to protect “democracy”? Is ECOWAS prepared to face the armed forces of Mali, Guinea, Burkina Faso, and Niger Republic backed and trained by Russia’s Wagner? The military governments in Mali and Burkina Faso warned of an armed intervention in Niger and will counter with force. Guinea also sided with the putschist leaders. Can we ignore the angle of widespread arms in the region in the hands of miscreants, which the war will promote? We know that in many parts of West Africa, armed groups are swarming like ants on sugar, pulled by a mixture of weak states, bleak economic prospects, burgeoning populations, a punishing climate, and bad and irresponsible governance. Can we worsen the situation by igniting a disastrous war in the region? After Niger, Nigeria may be the primary target for destruction, and then Ghana and other countries. No, it is not worth maintaining the kind of liberal democracy we have in place. Based on living conditions, social amenities, and corruption, some people cannot distinguish between liberal democracy and military dictatorship. The lack of difference between the two types of governance is why ECOWAS is losing the support of its citizenry to take military action against the Junta in Niger. Nigerians unite against military action in Niger due to its tremendous regional catastrophe. Despite the ECOWAS resolution backed by the AU and the UN, many Nigerians oppose military intervention in the neighboring country. The Islamic clerics who met with Mr. Tinubu, last week volunteered to mediate in the crisis due to their opposition to war and the close ethnic and religious ties between Nigeria and Niger.
ASHENEWS reports that contrary to reports that the Nigerien military junta on Friday, asked the French Ambassador, Sylvain ITTE, the junta actually ordered the Nigerian Ambassador to the country, Mohammed Usman, to leave within 48 hours.
The mid-20th century brought with it the height of independence-related agitations and clamouring in many African countries. Rising nationalists who had gotten their education and the attendant exposure that came with it ultimately believed that African states were ready to govern themselves in the newly introduced democratic system. From that period till now, several African states have gone through turbulent moments of shapeshifting — a democratic state today, a military-junta-ruled state tomorrow. More often than not, military interventions in the democratic running of African states are touted as the Messianic way out of the corruption practices of the democratically elected leaders in these countries. As altruistic and patriotic as these military interventions seem at the outset, historical precedents in Africa show that the Messiahs often end up as or worse than the oppressors they initially wanted to save the people from. Africa does not need coups and military leaders.
“If we weren’t engaged, with the Sereral operations then Barkhane, there wouldn’t be, without a doubt, more Mali, more Burkina Faso, I’m not even sure there would still be Niger dixit Manu,” French President Emmanuel Macron said in an interview to the weekly Le Point.
The Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) has urged the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to use diplomatic means in dealing with the military junta in Niger Republic.