The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has advised the African Union (AU) and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) against the use of force in restoring democratic governance in Niger Republic.
On July 26, Muhammadou Bazoum, the elected president of Niger was over thrown in a military coup d’etat led by Brigadier General Abdoulrahame Tchiani.
ECOWAS heads of state and government had in a communique issued at the end of the 51st Extraordinary Summit held in Abuja on July 30, 2023 issued a one week ultimatum for the coupists to return power to the democratically elected Bazoum or face a range of sanctions including, among others, economic, land and overflight blockade already imposed or military intervention.
However, the ACF, while commending the position of the regional bodies in a statement, on Thursday in Kaduna, said military action against the coupist will counter productive considering the relationship between Nigeria and Niger.
The statement signed by Murtala Aliyu, Secretary General of the forum said the ACF is concern about unfolding events in Nigeria’s immediate neighbour and the potential impact on the region.
The statement noted that, “Nigeria and Niger share a long historical boarder of more than one 1,500 kilometers with families, communities sharing common facilities including farmlands, markets, cultural bonds and languages for many centuries predating the Trans Saharan Trade and colonial times.
It said, “The two countries have enjoyed harmonious brotherly and mutually beneficial inter communal relationships from time immemorial.”
Aliyu said, “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 force.”
The statement said, “While the Arewa Consultative Forum, recognises the ECOWAS position to bring pressure to bear on the coupists, but nevertheless the military option shouldn’t be a prerequisite for Nigeria and the ECOWAS’ continuing efforts to enthrone democracy in the region in the 21st century.
“Certainly not an adventure to be led Nigeria. Democracy has taken root in Nigeria and her leadership role has inspired many countries in ECOWAS to embrace 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 -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 boarder communities and stability of the entire region should be paramount.
“A military intervention might yield 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.
“The ACF supports the position to restore democratic rule in Niger but calls on the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government under the able Chairmanship President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR to 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.”
