Pressure Mounts On ECOWAS Against Use Of Force In Niger

More Nigerians and groups have joined the league of prominent citizens in advising the Economic Community of West African States on the dangers of using military might to suppress the coup in Niger Republic.

They said dialogue remained the best way out of the impasse, insisting that deploying troops to fight the military junta would rather compound security, social and economic challenges in Nigeria, Niger and other neighbouring countries.

The Ummah Movement, with headquarters at the National Islamic Centre, Dogarawa, Zaria, said it was wrong to use force to bring back the ousted President Mohamed Bazoum who was toppled by his guards.

The group said it was “deeply worried about the reactions trailing the ouster of the civilian government in Niger Republic. We caution against rash sanctions such as cutting off electricity supply to Niger and any form of military action by ECOWAS.

“Rather, diplomatic pressure, dialogue and soft power should be applied to rollback the coup that appears to have originated in a palace power tussle.

“Given Nigeria’s dire economic situation, our persistent insecurity threats, the danger of split in ECOWAS and to avoid playing into the hands of the enemies of African unity and prosperity, we urge President Tinubu to defer to wisdom and diplomacy to achieve return to normalcy in Niger Republic.”

Also, the Northern Senators Forum has cautioned ECOWAS, under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu, against the use of military force in restoring democracy in Niger Republic.

The senators, under the leadership of Senator Abdul Ahmad Ningi (Bauchi), however, called for political and diplomatic means to restore democratic government in that country.

The forum, in a statement by its spokesperson, Suleiman A. Kawu Sumaila, cautioned that military force would cause the death of many innocent citizens in Niger Republic and seven Nigerian states that share border with that country.
The statement reads, “We take exception to the use of military force until other avenues as mentioned above are exhausted as the consequences will be casualties among the innocent citizens who go about their daily business.

“Besides, about seven northern states that share border with Niger Republic, namely, Sokoto, Kebbi, Katsina, Zamfara, Jigawa, Yobe and Borno will be negatively affected.

“There is serious implication for our country if military force is used without exhausting all diplomatic channels.”

An Islamic preacher in Kano, Dr Muhammad Sani Umar Rijiyar Lemo, in a video clip widely shared on social media yesterday, warned Tinubu against leading Nigeria to invade Niger.

Rijiyar Lemo said the bond between Nigeria and Niger Republic had gone beyond just being neighbours but that of brotherhood.

He said any military incursion would further add salt to the injury to myriad socio-economic challenges in the Sahel region, advising ECOWAS to find a peaceful means of resolving the issues.

“Everyone knows that war, especially at this moment, comes with several consequences. We won’t know how and when it ends.

“Now, the world is polarised, with every country alienated to certain powers-that-be, and Niger is rich with huge uranium deposits most sought after by these powers. They have interests there,” he said.

Similarly, a former deputy national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olabode George, yesterday asked Tinubu to think twice before declaring war on Niger Republic.

In a letter he personally wrote to the president in his position as “a Nigerian, a retired General in the Nigerian military, a patriot and a war tactician,” George stated that it is better to continue the diplomatic channel instead of embarking on a “needless war.”

He warned that adopting the military approach could result in the collapse of ECOWAS.

According to him, Tinubu must be circumspect in his actions because he cannot trust the other countries pressuring him to go to war with Niger.

“In Nigeria today, there is no food, no financial power to buy fuel, no light, no money. Nigerians are psychologically stranded and people are really going through a lot. So, I don’t know what our going to Niger Republic with full military power would achieve.

“We should think twice before entering another country militarily. Don’t start what you cannot finish. Niger is one of the largest (land border) countries in the world and one of the poorest. What exactly do we gain if we go to war in Niger? So that people can praise us as a defender of democracy? When people are dying at home, do we need that type of commendation from anybody?

“Also, some countries, such as Algeria, Libya, Chad, Benin, Burkina Faso and Mali share borders with the Niger Republic. Can we trust these countries to support us militarily and otherwise in case of war with Niger Republic?” he asked.