ACF Advises ECOWAS Against Use Of Force In Niger

The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has advised the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) against the use of force to oust the Military Junta in the Republic of Niger.

This is contained in a statement by Malam Murtala Aliyu, the Secretary General of the ACF in Kaduna

While condemning the coup and calling for the restoration of democratic governance in Niger, the ACF, said: ”The forum supports the position to restore democratic rule in Niger.

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”The ECOWAS 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 the brotherly neighbour and stability of the ECOWAS region.

“Nigeria and Niger share a long historical border of more than one thousand five hundred kilometres with families, and communities sharing common facilities including farmlands, markets, cultural bonds and languages for many centuries predating the Trans Saharan Trade and colonial times.

The forum noted that the measures being contemplated by the ECOWAS should take into consideration the historical antecedents and mutual interests of the two countries and weigh the consequences of the use of force.

”While the ACF, recognises the ECOWAS’ position to bring pressure to bear on the coupists 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.

”The ECOWAS is a shining example of a functional Regional Economic Cooperation (REC) on the Continent which should be sustained.

”While a military intervention might yield temporary solutions, the repercussions on Nigeria as a leader and the regional body would impact negatively on future relations and a herculean task to rebuild.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, on Sunday, issued a seven-day ultimatum to the Nigerien military to restore constitutional order and reinstate ousted President Muhammed Bazoum into office.

While recognising Bazoum as the legitimate President of the landlocked state, the bloc also imposed land and border closures, suspending all commercial flights between Niger and ECOWAS member states.

Announcing the decision, the President of the ECOWAS Commission, Omar Touray, said all Chiefs of Defence Staff of the member states will proceed for an emergency meeting to strategise on effective ways to implement a possible military operation to restore Bazoum to office.