The security committee of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), which includes Military Chiefs from several West African nations, announced on Friday their intention to prioritize diplomacy in addressing the situation in the Republic of Niger concerning the actions of the junta.
This follows growing antiwar calls spearheaded by Nigerians, whose President, Bola Tinubu, is leading the military charge against the Niger coupists, who had overthrown the democratic government of President Mohamed Bazoum in July 26. Tinubu had on Friday, written the National Assembly, notifying them of sanctions and possible military action against the junta.
However, in a twist that has delighted anti war advocates, the Chiefs of Defence Staff from Togo, Sierra Leone, Senegal, Nigeria, Ghana, Liberia, Guinea Bissau, Gambia, Cote’Divoire, Cape Verde, and the Republic of Benin, said at the end of their two-day high-powered delegation meeting, that they’re reconsidering a military approach.
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The meeting, initiated on Wednesday and presided over by Gen. Christopher Musa, the President of ECOWAS Military Chiefs at Defence Headquarters in Abuja, was not attended by soldiers from Mali, Niger, Guinea, and Burkina Faso. These countries are under military rule.
Reading the statement from the meeting to the press, Gen. Musa disclosed that they decided to enhance diplomatic endeavors aimed at involving all pertinent parties. The focus is on promoting dialogue and negotiations as the primary strategy for resolving the crisis in the Republic of Niger.
“It has been an honour to preside over this extraordinary meeting on the situation of the recent coup in the Niger Republic as the President of this honourable committee of the CDS of ECOWAS States,” Musa said.
“I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to each one of you for your insightful contributions, thoughtful deliberations, and unwavering commitment to the cause of peace and stability in our region.
“Throughout our discussions, we have collectively recognized the gravity of the situation and the urgent need for a well-coordinated response. The deliberations have been marked by a spirit of unity, cooperation, and determination to address the challenges at hand.
“We have examined the immediate implications of the coup on the Niger Republic and its potential ripple effects across the ECOWAS region. We have also deliberated on the broader implications for democracy, peace, and stability in West Africa.
“I am pleased to note that our discussions have yielded valuable insights and actionable recommendations. We have acknowledged the need for a comprehensive approach that encompasses political, security, and diplomatic dimensions.
“It is imperative that we translate our deliberations into concrete actions that can effectively address the crisis and prevent a recurrence in the future.
“Firstly, we must emphasize the importance of upholding democratic principles and the rule of law. The coup in the Niger Republic represents a blatant disregard for these fundamental principles that underpin our regional integration and stability. We must unequivocally condemn such actions and demonstrate our unwavering commitment to democracy.
“Secondly, we must strengthen our regional security architecture and enhance our collective response to security challenges. The coup in the Niger Republic has highlighted the fragility of our region and the need for a robust and proactive security framework.
“We must enhance intelligence sharing, joint training exercises, and capacity-building initiatives among our defense and security forces to effectively combat threats to our collective security and enhance interoperability.
“Thirdly, we must intensify our diplomatic efforts to engage with all relevant stakeholders. Dialogue and negotiation should be at the forefront of our approach to resolving the crisis in the Republic of Niger.
“We must engage with the transitional authorities, civil society organizations, and other key actors to foster an inclusive and peaceful transition process.”
Addressing the gathering, Amb. Abdel-Fatau Musah, the Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security at ECOWAS, stated that the authority of the Heads of State within ECOWAS was dedicated to eradicating all instances of unconstitutional power seizures in the sub-region. He however reiterated that military action is the last resort of the bloc.
He pointed out that there have been approximately eight to nine both successful and unsuccessful coups in West Africa over the past three years. He added that until three years ago, all ECOWAS member countries were led by democratically elected presidents.
Musah highlighted the increasing threat of military takeovers in West Africa in recent times. He stressed the importance of tackling this issue to prevent the region from becoming a subject of ridicule on both the African continent and the global stage.
“Respected chiefs of defense staff of our region, this is a clarion call to you. This is a test of the will of our militaries to demonstrate that we are having a democratically minded military whose responsibility is the protection of the state.
“So the diplomacy is being given a chance to succeed and like we said, the military option is the very last on the table. And if we can avoid that, a peaceful resolution is our preferred option but we have to prepare for all eventualities.
“The time has come again for ECOWAS to show that we are a rules-based organization, we are rule based countries; we cannot allow the rule by the Ballot Box to be replaced by the rule of Kalashnikovs,” he said.
Earlier meetings between ECOWAS leaders and the junta did not yield any positive result, prompting the West African leaders to declare their readiness to deploy military action.