Share!
Niger Coup: ECOWAS Urges Junta to Embrace Diplomacy, Calls for Return of Democracy
In an effort to resolve the current military coup in Niger, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Defence, Dr. Ibrahim Abubakar Kana, has called on the Niger Coup Junta to opt for a diplomatic resolution.
The call comes amidst growing concerns over the stability of the region.
He spoke on behalf of Nigerian Government in wrap-up meeting of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Chief of Defence in Abuja on Friday.
Following a high-level meeting with the ECOWAS Chief of Defence Staffs, General Christopher Musa, was also assumed the role of President of the ECOWAS Chief of Defence Staff or a peaceful resolution.
He succeeded the Chief of Defence Staff of Guinea-Bissau.
PRNigeria had reported that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who also serves as the Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, echoed the sentiment.
The President had on Thursday, send
a delegation to Niger with a mandate to expedite the resolution of the political impasse.
The situation in Niger escalated last week when President Mohamed Bazoum was ousted by the military junta.
Shuaib said the delegation dispatched by President are committed to restoring democracy and believes that a diplomatic solution is the most appropriate approach to resolving the crisis.
“The military junta of Niger must put down their arms and return power to the constitutional democratic government,” Shuaib urged, speaking on behalf of the ECOWAS Chairman.
He emphasized the importance of releasing President Bazoum and allowing the country to return to its democratic course.
In response, ECOWAS issued a seven-day ultimatum for the junta to restore power to the constitutional democratic government and release President Bazoum from captivity, PRNigeria reports.
While addressing the attendees, the Commissioner Political Affairs, Peace & Securit of ECOWAS, Ambassador Abdel-Fatau Musah, asserted that military intervention was the last option and expressed hopes for a peaceful resolution. He applauded the efforts of the Chief of Defence Staff in ensuring a peaceful deliberation.
“The ongoing diplomatic efforts will be given ample opportunity before any consideration of military deployment,” assured the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Defence, Shuaib, during the meeting.
He thanked the United States and other allies for their support in the region and commended the ECOWAS Defence Chiefs for their readiness to act as instructed by their principals.
“As the deadline set by ECOWAS approaches, all eyes are on the Niger Coup Junta to see if they will heed the call for a peaceful resolution and pave the way for the restoration of democracy in the country.
“The situation remains fluid, and the international community continues to closely monitor developments in Niger”, he said.
The meeting was attended by Defence Chiefs from Liberia, Senegal, The Gambia, Ghana, Nigeria, Benin, Togo, Sierra Leone, Cote D’Ivoire, and Cape Verde, hosted by Nigerian Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa.
