By Philip Nwosu, Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Godwin Tsa, Fred Ezeh, Abuja and Chukwuma Umeorah
As the Authority of the ECOWAS Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) holds extraordinary summit to discuss next move in the Niger Republic crisis following expiration of the ultimatum to the military junta to reinstate ousted President Mohamed Bazoum, the Reunion of Episcopal Conferences of West Africa (RECOWA), the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Southern and Middle Belt Leaders Forum (SMBLF), the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO USA) and the National Observatory, have cautioned against use of force.
A military group led by Gen. Abdourhamane Tchiani had on July 26 toppled the civilian and democratic government of President Bazoun who has since been clamped into unlawful detention.
Despite a seven-day ultimatum issued to the junta to restore constitutional government, all other diplomatic measures taken by the ECOWAS, African Union, European Union and the United Nations to resolve the Niger crisis have not brought about order and stability to the troubled country.
ECOWAS chairman and Nigeria’s president, Bola Tinubu, had vowed to do everything possible to reinstate ousted Bazoum.
On Tuesday, a new set of sanctions were imposed on groups, organisations and individuals identified as giving support to the military junta.
Ajuri Ngelale, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, said President Tinubu has already directed the acting Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to implement this directive in accordance with the ECOWAS protocol.
“I can report that following the expiration of the deadline of the ultimatum and standing on the pre-existing consensus position of financial sanctions meted out on the military junta, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has ordered an additional slew of financial sanctions.
“The sanctions are being carried out through the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on entities and individuals related to, or involved with the military junta in Niger Republic,’’ he said.
On the deadline given to the junta, Ngelale decried the media reports linking the decision of the ECOWAS to the person of the president of Nigeria.
“Concerning the ultimatum given to the military Junta in Niger Public, the ECOWAS mandate and ultimatum is not a Nigerian ultimatum.
“The office of President Bola Tinubu, who is also serving as the Chairman of ECOWAS, seeks to emphasise this point. Certain domestic and international media coverage tend towards a personalisation of the ECOWAS sub-regional position to his person and to our nation individually.
The ECOWAS leaders meeting is coming amid uncertainty about the bloc’s possible military intervention to restore democracy in Niger.
Worried by what might be the consequences of military intervention, the Reunion of Episcopal Conferences of West Africa (RECOWA), comprising all Catholic Cardinals, Archbishops and Bishops in West Africa, has urged the sub-regional leaders to learn from what happened in Libya in 2011.
They expressed concerns in a two-page letter addressed to the President of ECOWAS, Heads of State of ECOWAS and the Transitional Authorities in Niger on August 7, calling for dialogue and reconciliation rather than belligerence and military response.
The letter, signed by the President of RECOWA and Bishop of Agboville, Most Rev. Alexis TouabliYoulo, canvassed pacifism rather than belligerence in the management of the Niger crisis. It tasked every actor within and outside the sub-region to show restraint, discernment and responsibility.
It observed that no individual, national, regional, geo-political or denominational interest or project should take precedence over the preservation of life, human dignity and the well being of the future generation in West Africa and beyond.
The clerics cited the military intervention in Libya by the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation in 2011, describing it as a tragic example of the disastrous consequences for people’s lives, dignity and future.
“We cannot remain silent in the face of such situations and must learn lessons to ensure that such events do not happen again, particularly with Niger as a potential epicentre of a similar crisis. As a Bishops’ conference, our mission is intimately linked to the promotion of reconciliation and peace. We firmly believe that every human being is called to live in peace and to be a peacemaker in accordance with the teachings of the Bible and those of the holy books of other religious confessions, which exhort us to work for reconciliation and brotherhood between all peoples. Peace is a precious gift that we must cultivate and preserve together. It is like a common mat that we must weave together with each person contributing to his or her own thread.”
•NSCIA appeals for dialogue
On its part, the Sultan of Sokoto-led NSCIA warned that stringent economic sanction and military intervention would exacerbate the sufferings of citizens in both countries and weaken bilateral relationship which has existed for a long time.
Acknowledging that the leadership of both ECOWAS and Nigeria must preserve and protect democracy by discouraging forceful take-over of power, NSCIA strongly implored the approach of peaceful dialogues between all parties involved rather than resorting to violence.
“This is because violence does more harm than the intended good in any circumstance. Should violence break out in Niger, it is the helpless and hapless masses, who have already been devastated and impoverished by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the world economy, that would pay the very costly price, not the coup plotters. Nigeria has not gotten away with its own intractable issues and challenges of insecurity and violence that have been causing death incessantly, displacing millions and destroying livelihood in states that share borders with Niger.
“The Boko Haram insurgency in the North East and the banditry in the North West have not been subdued. Given this situation it would not only take a dance on the precipice to embark on military expedition at this material time but would also smack of ingratitude to a neighbor that had consistently remained faithful in helping and supporting us in our fight against those extreme groups and criminal gangs.”
SMBLF cautions Tinubu
In its reaction, SMBLF stated that while Nigeria’s involvement in seeking peaceful solution is vital, President Tinubu must bear in mind that his primary responsibility lies with the peace and security of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
As leader of four of the country’s six main socio-cultural groups, Afenifere from the South West, Ohaneze Ndigbo from the South East, Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) from the South-South and the Middle Belt Forum, the group advised that Nigerian government actions should concentrate on fulfilling its roles and obligations without becoming entangled in the crisis in Niger.
In a statement signed by the leader of the group, Edwin Clark,
Ayo Adebanjo ( Afenifere), President-General, Ohaneze Ndigbo, Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, President, Middle Belt Forum, Pogu Bitrus and National Chairman, PANDEF, Emmanuel Essien, the leaders said they along with the global community, have observed that Nigeria, has been grappling with the aftermath of the unconstitutional change in government in the neighbouring Niger for the past two weeks.
They underscored the position of the Senate, which suggested that peaceful means should be sought to resolve the issue rather than resorting to a fratricidal war.
Given the close historical and cultural ties shared between Nigeria and its northern neighbour, the SMBL leaders noted that the matter has taken centerstage in national media and become a focal point of discussions among opinion leaders.
It’ll deepen Nigeria’s economic crisis – NADECO
NADECO USA, in a statement by its Publicity Secretary, David Adenekan condemned the coup and urged democracy advocates around the world to come together to find a peaceful resolution to the crisis.
It described proposed military intervention as ill-thought-out.
“It would further deepen Nigeria’s economic crises and NADECO USA will not sit back and allow the Presidency to drag Nigeria that is struggling to survive an impending economic depression, into a wasteful war. The billions of naira that may be earmarked to execute this so-called war project, if it is invested to revamp our economy, will save the lives of many who are wallowing and dying in abject poverty. Is this not a shameful show of financial recklessness in a country that is currently deep into financial crisis?”
NADECO US appealed to the military junta in Niger Republic to promptly return power to a legitimate and democratic authority.
“We strongly urge ECOWAS to do the needful to resolve the political impasse in Niger Republic without military intervention that may result to the loss of lives of innocent citizens. Yes, we demand a bloodless resolution to the current political quagmire in Niger Republic. This is the right thing to do in this political scenario.”
Taking a direct aim at Tinubu’s passion for restoring democracy in the neighboring West African state, NADECO USA, questioned the moral justification of the Nigerian leader to deploy troops to Niger with possible human casualties on both military and civilians.
•Civil group sues Tinubu, others
Meanwhile, an international civil group, Egalitarian Mission for Africa (EMA), has filed a suit against President Tínubu and others at ECOWAS Court of Justice over the planned military action.
The suit instituted on its behalf by Dr. Oluwakayode Ajulo, is asking the regional court to invoke relevant ECOWAS treaties and international laws to stop the military invasion of Niger Republic being spearhead by the Nigerian Government.
Among other reasons, EMA is contending that the planned military action or invasion would run foul of the obligations in the ECOWAS treaties and therefore amounting to illegality.
The suit marked ECW/CCJ/APP/3/23 emphasized categorically that ECOWAS treaties prohibit aggression among member states.
Apart from EMA, other plaintiffs in the matter are a former Director Geneand Government of ECOWAS, President of ECOWAS Mission, Federal Republic of Nigeria and Republic of Niger.
Although the three plaintiffs in the regional suit described the coup detat as most unfortunate, they warned that Nigeria should not travel the dangerous road of military hostilities that may further escalate the crisis in the Niger Republic.
According to them, over 300,000 refugees, mainly Nigeria citizens, have already fled the Niger Republic adding that military action against Niger Republic would lead to breach of fundermental rights to life, right to dignity of human persons and liberty to life.
The plaintiffs therefore prayed the ECOWAS Court of Justice for a restraining order against any form of military action in Niger Republic that may undermine the sovereignty and the territorial integrity of Niger Republic.
•ECOWAS must prioritise Africa’s interests
In its reaction, the National Observatory, in a statement by its President, Debo Adeniran and Administrative Secretary, Omotaje Olawale Saint, also urged ECOWAS and Nigeria to be cautious in considering options for amicable resolutions so as not to be inadvertently drawn into a proxy war situation of foreign powers.
“If the situation in Niger is not properly macro-managed, global economic vultures and vampires will stop hovering but permanently perch to feast on carcasses in Niger and the sub region.
“As things are, the region is presently precariously bedevilled by incursions of multiple layers of armed, terrorist groups and battling with economies in acute, compounded recession, it is on the brink of collapse in real terms and cannot risk any social upheavals. Global Peace institutions like the United Nations, the African Union should convene a multilateral platform to address the renew surge of undemocratic take over of government in the sub region. In handling the Niger coup, it should be treated as a bull in a China wares shop.”
“It is because of this that Mr president has deemed it necessary to state unequivocally that the mandate and ultimatum issued ECOWAS is that of ECOWAS’ position,’’ he said.
Ngelale said that the president, following the expiration of the ultimatum given by ECOWAS, has widened consultations internationally, but most especially domestically.
He said that the consultations include interfaces with state governors in Nigeria bordering Niger Republic on the various fallouts and outcomes of the unfortunate situation in that country.