Niger: ECOWAS Must Not Travel The Road Of Military Hostilities – Atiku
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has warned against the Economic Community of West Africa States (ECOWAS), traveling the road of military hostilities that may exacerbate the status quo.
He said that the crisis in the Republic of Niger requires diplomatic engagements, saying that it must mean that the channels for dialogue should be well sustained.
Atiku, in a statement on Thursday, August 3, 2023 which he personally signed, said that as the ECOWAS continues to work towards reinstating democracy in the Republic of Niger even as he noted the military intervention in the Republic of Niger has created tension across the West Africa sub-region.
He noted that it was a development that has caused international attention to that neighbouring country of Nigeria, adding that the putsch is even more worrisome because the number of states that have witnessed military intervention in the last three years in the sub-region is increasing.
Atiku further said; “Of course, the world expects Nigeria to take up leadership in ensuring that the crisis of political leadership in the Republic of Niger is not just curtailed but also ensuring the restoration of democratic governance in that country.
“While the expectations that fall on Nigeria as the sub-regional leader is not a quick fix, it must be expressed that the role taken so far by the Economic Community of West African States has been commendable.
“While the world expects Nigeria to take a leading role in this process of peaceful conflict resolution, it must be clear to the military insurrectionists in the Republic of Niger that the world cannot afford to wait for too long before this crisis is resolved reasonably.
“This is undoubtedly a challenging time for the West African region. However, any actions taken towards the prompt resolution of the crisis in the Republic of Niger must prioritize democracy as the ultimate victor,” he said.
