The ECOWAS deadline for the Niger Republic junta, to restore the deposed democratic leader, as president, is today. I am not sure the khakis guys will respond positively to the memo. That said, with the Nigerian Senate’s bold leadership for disapproving any military action in Niger, the question now is “What should ECOWAS do next?” Here is my suggestion (I made the same suggestion last week) during the effervescence of military threats.
Call a meeting of the African Development Bank, African Export-Import Bank, economic ministers of ECOWAS countries and partners of ECOWAS, and work out a regional sovereign guarantee (RSG) package of $5 billion for Niger Republic. That is about the national budget of the country.
Then open an Africa-wide investment opportunity window for Niger, guaranteeing 50% of every investment into Niger Republic in the next three years. Areas to be covered include education, agriculture, healthcare, and related areas. At least 25% of the RSG should go to Niger-native companies.
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Ask the United Nations, African Union, and ECOWAS leaders to present this carrot to the junta. Make it clear that a 6-month (at most) timeline back to democracy activates it, even as all sanctions are lifted. With this playbook, the junta cannot argue otherwise since this will meet their alleged motive for a coup (deteriorating economic state of the nation). They will accept the deal because with this package, you will win the labour union, corporate Niger and most of the youth; flipping allegiance is strategic here.
As ECOWAS’s seven days ultimatum for the reinstatement of deposed President Mohamed Bazoum in Niger expires today (Sunday), there is uncertainty about the next line of action for the bloc.
Last Sunday, ECOWAS had an emergency meeting where it gave putschists led by General Abdourahamane Tchiani until today to reinstate Mr Bazoum or risk military intervention. Severe economic sanctions were also imposed on Niger in a bid to get the putschists to comply with its demands.
Despite the sanctions and other measures taken to reverse the situation in Niger, putschists have remained defiant with Mr Tchiani saying in a televised broadcast that he will not bow down to pressure to reinstate Mr Bazoum. He also criticised sanctions imposed by West African leaders as illegal and inhumane.
He urged Nigeriens to get ready to defend their nation while warning against any interference in Niger’s
internal affairs.
The ECOWAS deadline for the Niger Republic junta, to restore the deposed democratic leader, as president, is today. I am not sure the khakis guys will respond positively to the memo. That said, with the Nigerian Senate's bold leadership for disapproving any military action in… pic.twitter.com/YPNmrve2hR
— Ndubuisi Ekekwe (@ndekekwe) August 6, 2023
Comment 1: …and a domino effect incentive for further democracies to crumble!
My Response: That will not be a bad thing though since this is sovereign guarantee, not grants. So, if that activates investments in other countries, that should be a net positive. Today, I am ready to guarantee 50% on a $40,000 investment on maternal care (maternity) in my village, Ovim. If that person invests and it fails, I will refund that person 50%. That is what we’re talking about here.
Comment 2: This sounds like a good plan prof, and it sounds attractive enough to turn things around. But what if the taste of power is now sweeter than the proferred solutions? What next?
My Response: The goal is to turn the people against the junta. This carrot will shift allegiance and the junta may not have air. Why block a national budget-size new investments? The people will make a case that the nation is bigger than the junta.
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The people yammering democracy up and down, you think they give a damn about developing Niger? They are as fraudulent as the democracy they are selling, it is all ruse, just appear good while carrying out their evil unobstructed. There are too many criminals and dishonest people roaming the face of the earth, the ones outside Africa only see Africa as a conquered territory, to be looted and destabilized perpetually.
Again, will France still be present in Niger while this proposed investment is taking place in there? They have been there for more than a century, what good have they brought, and what have they taken from the poor country? We will leave real evil and keep yammering democracy, while people are constantly raped and degraded.
Anyone talking about restoring democracy in Niger without providing substantial investment is a fraud, such person or group should be chased away. None of these funny and hollow democracies being sold to poor people across Africa will advance anyone, because the intention was/is never to make this continent better.
We have taken enough lectures from fraudsters, it’s time to ask for evidence and showing of working.