4th August, 2023
The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has warned the Nigerian government and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), led by President Bola Tinubu, against using military force against Niger Republic coup plotters.
While condemning the July 26th coup in Niger headed by Brigadier General Abdoulrahame Tchiani, the forum requests that the African Union and ECOWAS engage in conversation with the coupists as one of the essential actions to restore democratic governance in that country.
In a statement issued by its General Secretary, Murtala Aliyu, the ACF noted that using military force against the coup plotters in Niger will not ensure peace and stability in the ECOWAS sub-region, and that the military option should not be a prerequisite for the international community’s ongoing efforts to enthrone democracy in the region in the twenty-first century.
“ACF however views with concern the unfolding events in Nigeria’s immediate neighbour, Republic of Niger and the potential impact on the region.
“Nigeria and Niger Republic share long historical border of more than one thousand five hundred kilometres with families, communities sharing common facilities including farmlands, markets , cultural bonds and languages for many centuries predating the trans-Saharan trade and colonial times.
“The measures being contemplated should have taken into consideration the historical antecedents and mutual interests of the two countries and weighed the consequences of the use of military force.
“While the ACF recognises the ECOWAS position to bring pressure to bear on the perpetrators, but nevertheless the military option shouldn’t be a prerequisite for Nigeria’s and the Community’s continuing efforts to enthrone democracy in the region in the 21st century.
“Certainly, not an adventure to be led by Nigeria. Democracy has taken root in Nigeria and her leadership role has inspired many countries in ECOWAS to embrace a democratic governance structure.
“We shouldn’t throw that away for some misadventure against our brothers and sisters on the other side prejudicial to our Non -non-interference in a country’s internal affairs posture and attendant legal implications.
“ECOWAS is a shining example of a functional Regional Economic Cooperation (REC) on the continent which should be sustained.
“We believe the peaceful relations with our border communities and stability of the entire region should be paramount.
“A military intervention might yield a temporary solution but the repercussions on Nigeria as a leader and the regional body would impact negatively on future relations and a herculean task to rebuild.
“To this end, ACF notes that while it supports the position to restore democratic rule in Niger, it calls on the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government under the able Chairmanship of President Bola Tinubu, that it should tow the path of dialogue and diplomacy and certainly not force, in resolving the current impasse in Niger in the interest of peaceful coexistence with our brotherly neighbour and stability of the ECOWAS region.”