I must continue to beat the drum of peace as heinous fire is threatening my neighborhood, Niger republic. The Nigeria-Niger border has seven states – Kebbi, Sokoto, Zamfara, Katsina, Jigawa, Yobe, and Borno covering a distance of 1,608 km. Firing one shot in Niger will massively inject colossal wave of refugees into these states and escalate gigantic fire arms and ammunitions in the hands of non-state actors for nefarious activities. Is the restoration of President Mohamed Bazoum to power worth igniting the calamitous action of war in the West African Sub-region? Whose interest is ECOWAS trying to protect?
Browsing: Niger Republic
The Emir of Gwandu, retired Maj.-Gen. Muhammadu Ilyasu-Bashar has cautioned cautioned the Economic Commission of West Africa State (ECOWAS) under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu, against the use of military force in restoring democracy in the Niger Republic.
The head of the military junta in Niger Republic, General Abdourahamane Tchiani had, on Saturday, said he would relinquish power within three years and warned that any intervention by foreign forces would not be a walk in the park.
There appears no end in sight to the raging crisis gripping the West African sub-region in view of the military coup that ousted the democratically elected government of Niger Republic and the resolve of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) heads of governments to restore the country’s constitutional order through military activation if all diplomatic measures to force the Nigerien junta into total compliance fail.
As an advocate of constitutional democracy, firmly believing in the government of the PEOPLE, by the PEOPLE, and for the PEOPLE; the situation in Niger République deeply concerns me and makes some of us very uncomfortable. The coup d’état in Niger resulted from ethnic and geopolitical power play. For example, in the aftermath of the coup, events have unfolded rapidly, revealing that a considerable number of Nigeriens support the military intervention, viewing the interventionists as saviors who will liberate their country from foreign dominance and exploitation of its resources.
The leader of the mutineers who seized power in Niger, Gen. Abdourahamane Tchiani, said on Saturday that his country does not want war, but will be ready to defend itself if necessary.
The former Nigerian military Head of State, and leader of the ECOWAS high-powered delegation to Niger Republic, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar (rtd), has said that they met with the head of the military junta, Gen. Abdourahamane Tchiani, and the ousted President Mohamed Bazoum.
The military staff of the three countries met in the Nigerien capital Niamey to decide on “concrete measures” in case ECOWAS chooses to “escalate a war,” according to local media reports on Saturday.
ASHENEWS reports that Nigeria’s former military president, Abdulsalami Abubakar, and Sultan Muhammadu Saad Abubakar, have again visited Niamey, capital of Niger Republic.
“Democracy is what we stand for and it’s what we encourage. The focus of our gathering is not simply to react to events, but to proactively chart a course that results in peace and promote stability,” Gen. Musa said.