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Tag: ECOWAS

  • ECOWAS: A house divided against itself?

    ECOWAS: A house divided against itself?

    By Temitope Ponle

    Is the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) the proverbial house divided against itself?

    On July 26, the military in Niger Republic staged a coup which ousted the government of President Mohamed Bazoum.

    This occurred after armed guards had taken over the presidential palace in Niamey, the capital, and placed Bazoum under house arrest.

    Gen. Abdourahamane Tiani, the former head of Bazoum’s presidential guard, shut Bazoum in his palace and later declared himself head of state.

    The 15-nation regional bloc, ECOWAS, then took a hardline position on the coup when it gave a one-week ultimatum to the junta in Niger to release Bazoum from detention and revert to status quo ante or face a military invasion of an ECOWAS military force.

    This hardline position of ECOWAS leaders prompted Mali and Burkina Faso, both neighbours of Niger and being led by military leaders themselves, to say that they would consider any military action in Niger as a declaration of war against them too.

    This scenario has portrayed the sub-regional bloc as a house that is polarised against itself.

    Speaking on the situation with Niger, Gen. Christopher Musa, Nigeria’s Chief of Defence and Chairman of the ECOWAS Defence Chiefs, said in Abuja at a meeting with other defence chiefs in the sub-region that “the task of restoring democratic governance in Niger is fraught with potential hurdles and complications.

    “Our decisions will send a strong message about our commitment to democracy, our intolerance for unconstitutional changes of government, and our dedication to regional stability.”

    The Committee of Chiefs of Defence Staff of ECOWAS countries convened in a three-day Extraordinary Meeting, on Aug. 4.

    The ECOWAS defence chiefs, however, said there should be a comprehensive approach that encompasses political, security, and diplomatic dimensions in addressing the situation in Niger Republic.

    “Democracy is what we stand for and democracy is what we will sustain,” the general added.

    Musa said the military chiefs agreed that there was no alternative to democratic principles and the rule of law in the sub-region, adding that the coup in Niger represented blatant disregard for the fundamental principles that underpinned sub-regional integration and stability.

    According to him, the meeting recognised the fact that the coup highlighted the fragility of the region.

    He called for the enhancement of intelligence sharing, joint training exercises, and capacity-building among defence and security forces of the sub-region to effectively combat threats to collective security and enhance interoperability.

    ECOWAS Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, Amb. Abdel-Fatau Musah, commended the military chiefs for taking time to produce a concept of operation for an eventual military intervention to restore constitutional order in Niger.

    He explained that all elements that would go into any intervention had been worked out and were being refined, including the timing, the resources needed, as well as how, where, and when to deploy such force.

    “But first, we are giving diplomacy every chance to succeed and there have been multiple approaches to the military Junta in Niger,” the ECOWAS commissioner said.

    Chief Olabode George, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and a former military governor of Ondo state (1988–1990), called for dialogue and said the social and security situation in Niger was a call to look inwards rather than go to war.

    “The are issues of internal security of the country, the insurgency that is ravaging Nigeria, problem of the Fulani herdsmen, the Boko Haram, the hunger of the people, making people restless.

    “So why add another fourth dimension to it? Does it make any economic sense? Is it going to affect our economy or going to affect the way we resolve our own crisis here? The worst part of it is it will make economic indices go worse.”

    George reiterated that the ECOWAS was set up to establish economic cooperation and to raise the living standards of the people in the community.

    “Is ECOWAS built for military intervention? It is not like the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO)

    “It is not different from the European Union (EU) which is for economic cooperation, but NATO is military.

    “ECOWAS has nothing to do with military really. You can have them for peacekeeping, not warfare,” he stressed.

    He, however, urged the ECOWAS to jointly fight against the “mindless stealing of raw materials” being perpatrated by non-African countries, establish industries, and train the people of the community for the betterment and development of the sub-region.

    “We’ve had enough of you (foreigners) taking our resources to support your standards of living out there and giving us pittance in return.

    “The largest deposit of uranium, that is used for nuclear weapons, is located in Niger, and the country has a stupendous amount of gold deposit, and potassium too.

    “It is a new century, a new beginning. Africa must fight for its people.”

    Speaking with NAN, Sen. Shehu Sani, former Senate Committee Deputy Chairman on Foreign Affairs in the 8th Senate, said it was understandable for both Mali and Burkina Faso to take the stand they took against the military invasion of Niger considering that they are both being ruled by military juntas and therefore protecting their own interests as well.

    Sani, who represented Kaduna Central Senatorial District (APC) from 2015 to 2019 urged ECOWAS member states to take advantage of the face-off between the Francophone countries and their colonial master, France to strengthen the bond between them rather than allow divisive elements to cause a crack within the bloc.

    He advised all member states to take advantage of the current impasse not to carry out a military invasion of Niger but to come up with a common currency that both the Anglophone and Francophone countries could use to promote the socio-economic development of the sub-region.

    Analysts are of the opinion that ECOWAS members cannot afford to allow primaeval sentiments and other divisive elements to polarise them, especially in view of the volatile nature of the sub-region.

    They draw attention to the fact that jihadists and other terror groups in the sub-region could capitalise on the existing crisis and use it to further exacerbate the already bad security situation in West Africa and thus make peaceful governance difficult if not impossible.

    NAN

  • Challenging the new ministers – By Dakuku Peterside

    Challenging the new ministers – By Dakuku Peterside

    Three recent developments are the focus of people with a keen interest in the political affairs of Nigeria at the moment. The first is whether ECOWAS, which means Nigeria, in real terms, will go to war in Niger Republic. The second is the brouhaha over the Naira versus Dollar exchange rate, having severely affected the living standards of a broad spectrum of Nigerians. The third and by no means the least has far reaching implications on the shape, form and character of the Tinubu presidency. This is the next Federal Executive Council with raging questions on whether or not the incoming Ministers are the “messiahs” Nigerians expect. In my view, one packs the most weight of these three significant developments. It is the quality, capacity and effectiveness of these Ministers appointed by the President and Commander-in-Chief. I hold this view since the impact of our cabinet Ministers on policy and their individual momentum is what could directly determine the quality of governance and, by extension, the living standards in our country now and in the near future. Not surprising, the stakes were high and the tension palpable until the President released the list of ministers . From informed commentaries so far, it is evident the list was received with mixed feelings.

    There were huge expectations that technocrats, intellectuals, politicians with proven record of performance and highly skilled and talented Nigerians would dominate the cabinet. Some feel this expectation still needs to be fully met, given that the new-mint cabinet is dominated by old political war-horses with a sprinkling of professionals, youths and women.

    Although inferentially, the President is expected to choose persons of good character, integrity and capacity for his team of cabinet Ministers, politics is not arithmetic. Political exigencies sometimes trump  these qualities in the melting pot of choice of ministerial nominees. The President, as Head of State and leader of his party, must strike a delicate balance between the conflicting intricacies inherent in making such choices. Therefore, it is not uncommon to find tainted persons, political jobbers and hollow men make their way to the cabinet. Politics will always be politics and not necessarily about what is best for the President, the government he leads or the Nigerian people. But that is where base or mundane considerations also end.

    We have arrived the business end of things for a government in which citizens have invested so much expectations now that those nominated as Ministers have been screened and cleared by the Senate. With the confirmation, they must now work hard for the country. Regardless of who nominated them or how they were nominated and got cleared by Senate. It does not matter if some had to bow-and-go with the attendant drama. Or making the list by being somebody’s stooge or friend, the most important thing is that they have made it to the cabinet. The point to note is Nigerians have expectations of the new Ministers. The current social and economic crisis occasioned by the agenda of the President to transform the economy and make it viable now and in the future creates a fait accompli scenario for hard work by those in the policy engineering room of the Administration. It remains to be said that in this period of unmitigated uncertainties, the new Ministers hold the key to driving the President’s vision and implementing policies that will lead Nigeria to a better position socially, economically and politically.

    Ministers occupy the highest office in the Executive wing of the ruling elite. Ministers, as individuals and as a collective, can significantly influence a country’s economic trajectory and quality of governance. One major success factor of the famed Asian Tigers is the quality of input to policy making and effective implementation of sound fiscal policies resulting in better development outcomes. Singapore’s technocratic model is a ready reference. Their Ministers were at the fore of policy articulation and implementations. The exact opposite is true of most sub-Saharan African countries. In Nigeria, most Ministers in the past could hardly lived up to expectations where they ought to have added more value. They were simply passengers to nowhere. In the  end, these category of persons in the Federal cabinet are proof that more than crude loyalty to personalities is required to keep a ministerial position. Nigerians expect no less and demand even more now.

    Our new Ministers must dare to be different. This is a new epoch and a time to get it right if Nigeria would achieve socio-economic emancipation. It would be unconscionable for Ministers to expect red- carpet treatment and excessive office perks at this time the country is going through severe economic turbulence. The least we expect is for Ministers to roll up their sleeves from day one and go to work. They should refrain from pursuing an individualistic and narrow interests. They must eschew vision that conflicts with the overarching vision of the President. Instead, as Ministers of the Government of the Federation, they must make out time to engage with the President to internalise and understand his vision for the country and how their respective roles will align to achieve high quality governance, prosperity and citizen satisfaction.

    The President also has the responsibility of setting the agenda, giving policy direction, spelling out goals and timelines for the Ministers. Ministers must know that the country’s current mood, which is more pessimistic, gloomy and tense, must be systematically turned around through their actions, policies and altruism. By reason of greater awareness in the polity, the masses will resist any flagrant display of opulence and hedonism by the new Ministers. The average Nigerian is in economic pain and the Ministers must by their own lifestyles provide hope for a better Nigeria.

    Nigerians want Ministers who can exhibit innovative thinking and demonstrate the capacity to develop practical, impact-oriented solutions. They desire and deserve Ministers as public servants with creative ideas to overcome the challenges we face as a people. Nigerians yearn for leaders who can unleash transformative action towards development and the new cabinet is expected to deliver no less. Any Minister with the archaic “I have come to chop” mindset will come to the shocking realization that this is the digital age of Nigeria. Youths and other stakeholders are gearing up to hold all officer holders, especially the Ministers, accountable and responsible for their actions in office. These savvy Gen Z advocates, although political neophytes, are armed with the democratisation of social media to advocate for transparency, justice, fairness and the rule of law. They have a strong voice and would make everyone hear them loud and clear. In recent years, they have communicated that they would actively engage in the political process and their expectations must be addressed. Let none take this demographic for granted.

    Those on the watchtower to monitor government performance must remember that Nigeria has had good Ministers in the past whose work is worthy of emulation. As the watching citizens expect the new Ministers to live up to the lofty standards of the past, they are further enjoined to make time to learn more about these past Ministers to improve their performance. One such effective Minister was Dr. Ngozi Okonjo- Iweala. Though not perfect, her dedication to duty and Nigeria is self-evident. She embodied that strength of character and demonstrated a determination to succeed where others have failed. She had the mental rigour to push for reforms and changes that had short-term and long-term impact. Her restless creativity and boundless passion for serving Nigeria were infectious. Okonjo-Iweala came and served Nigeria rather than being served by Nigeria. Time will fail us to begin an enumeration of her successes as a Minister who served two different Administrations. But her work in securing debt cancellation for Nigeria was notable. These impactful achievements are chronicled in various books and online resources. They make good resource and research material for the incoming Ministers. Akinwumi Adesina is forever remembered for his innovative agricultural policies that served people experiencing poverty. If a Minister wants to be among this league of much- loved ministers in Nigeria, now is the time to plan and work to create a legacy.

    Ministers ought to be change agents. Nigerians like to feel the passion, patriotism, integrity, creativity and inclusiveness that should be the hallmark of democratic leadership. They should possess excellent communication skills, expertise in the subject matter related to their portfolio, critical and strategic thinking skills, adaptability and resilience to succeed in performing their roles. Besides, Ministers should understand that the mechanisms of governance, public administration and policy-making are essential for a Minister to manage his or her portfolio effectively. They should have a genuine commitment to serving the public and positively impacting citizens’ lives. Ministers, as heads of ministries, constitute the instrumentality of government functions. The government implements all her policies through the Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) running a civil service structure that is apolitical and designed to serve the government of the day. It is important to note that no individual may possess all these qualities equally. However, striving to develop and exhibit them can contribute to effective leadership and governance.

    The sum total output of government MDAs roughly corresponds with the total productivity of government in terms of policy creation and execution as well as procedural and operational efficiencies. This much should be clear to those appointed by this Administration. Based on the above, the principal function of the Minister is to organise, manage and direct all material and human resources available to the ministry

    to achieve their set mandate in line with the dominant ideology, goals and aspirations of this government. Therefore, ministers must see themselves as both the voice of the government and the voice of the people and the voiceless.

    Finally, the role of a federal Minister is significant. Therefore, all newly appointed ministers should consider serving Nigeria in their respective capacities a great honour. They must be guided by transparency in decision-making, managing resources and accountability. Ministers must work to script with ingenuity in line with the philosophy that to whom much is given, much is also expected. Ministers must acknowledge they are responsible to the people, the Constitution of Nigeria and the President. The nation is looking up to the new Ministers to uplift it from the subsisting social and economic quagmire. This is a task Ministers can only fail to their peril. My dear compatriots, fellow countrymen and women, congratulations on your respective appointment.

  • Coup in Niger exposes fissures in Nigeria’s polity – By Ehichioya Ezomon

    Coup in Niger exposes fissures in Nigeria’s polity – By Ehichioya Ezomon

    Each side in the Niger Republic coup crisis is ratcheting up the ante, in a power show that’s the potential to further destabilise the West African region.

    The military junta that staged a coup d’etat on July 26 has dug in by shunning peace overtures from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the African Union (AU), United Nations, and some Western countries, including the United States and France, and establishing a quasi civilian administration, with the appointment of a Prime Minister.

    The coupists, led by former presidential guards’ commander, Gen. Abdourahmane Tchiani, who heads the junta, have threatened to kill deposed President Mohamed Bazoum should the ECOWAS force invade Niger to restore constitutional order.

    At the second extraordinary summit of its Heads of States and Government in Abuja on August 10, ECOWAS called up its standby military force in readiness for any eventuality in Niger.

    This comes after the junta’s bluffing of an ECOWAS seven-day ultimatum to return power to Bazoum, who’s been under house arrest since his overthrow.

    Rather than diminishing, supports for military intervention in Niger is growing, particularly after the junta’s threat to kill Bazoum. ECOWAS has vowed to punish the putschists, according to the bloc’s.

    Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, Ambassador Abdel-Fatau Musah, as he spoke on Channels Television on August 11.

    Musah said: “We are going there (Niger), if need be, to rescue President Bazoum, who is living in very terrible conditions today.

    “We cannot just sit back idle and depend on the goodwill of these people, who are disrupting the democratic process in the country.

    “Yesterday’s (August 10) communique also made it very clear that this junta will pay dearly if anything happens to the safety, security, or physical integrity of Bazoum, his family, or members of his government. That was clearly done.

    “We are not going to hold back because they are holding the president hostage. If they dare, if they should harm him in any way, then they are going to pay very dearly for that. So, this is a tactic.”

    Also, the AU – expected to meet today (August 14) to discuss the situation in Niger – has expressed support for ECOWAS’ decision, and called on the junta to “urgently halt the escalation with the regional organisation.”

    Ivory Coast’s president, Alassane Ouattara, has pledged his country’s participation in any ECOWAS military operation in Niger, along with Nigeria and Benin Republic.

    “Ivory Coast will provide a battalion and has made all the financial arrangements… We are determined to install Bazoum in his position. Our objective is peace and stability in the sub-region,” Ouattara said on state television.

    Besides, France and the United States – which have more than 2,500 military personnel in Niger – have endorsed ECOWAS’ position that no harm should come to Bazoum, his family and members of his ousted government.

    While France’s foreign ministry said it supported “all conclusions adopted” by the ECOWAS leaders, U.S. Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, said America appreciated “the determination of ECOWAS to explore all options for the peaceful resolution of the crisis,” and would hold the junta accountable for the safety and security of President Bazoum.

    It’s unclear if the threat on Bazoum’s life would change ECOWAS’ decision to intervene militarily in Niger. But going by agency report, analysts believe “it might give them pause, or push the parties closer to dialogue, but the situation has entered uncharted territory.”

    Meanwhile, the military coup d’etat in Niger has exposed the fissures in Nigeria’s polity along ethnic, sectional and partisan leanings.

    A proposed “use of force” by ECOWAS to restore democracy in the country has been turned into a “President Tinubu’s war” on Niger and its people, indicating that many Nigerians are in support of the coup and the junta therefrom.

    The coup had hardly settled when Nigerians began to applaud the overthrow of President Bazoum’s government by elements of the presidential guards, who reportedly falsely alleged the inability of the government to tackle insecurity in Niger, rather than the putsch stemming mainly from power struggle between Bazoum and Gen. Tchiani.

    That an elected government was illegality overthrown doesn’t worry Nigerians rooting for the coupists. All they care, and happy about is a disruption of the government in Niger – and a wish for a similar scenario taking place in Nigeria!

    It’s no surprise that the coup hailers – and opposers of any intervention in Niger – are mostly the same people that canvassed a military takeover in Nigeria or installation of an Inerim National Government post-the February 25, 2023, presidential election.

    Recall that protesters of the declaration of Senator Bola Tinubu as winner of the poll had marched to the Military command in the FCT, Abuja, to incite soldiers to seize power, and prevent Tinubu’s inauguration as the 16th President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria on May 29.

    However, the groundswell of opposition in Northern Nigeria to a forceful reinstatement of the deposed government in Niger is beyond what the individuals and groups adduce as reasons for opposing the ECOWAS, which’s chaired by President Tinubu.

    The Northern voices say any military intervention in Niger will worsen the security situation in the North – which’s linguistic, cultural and religious affinity with the country that borders several states of Nigeria – and affect movements and trade between the two nations.

    These are genuine fears that the Nigerian government, ECOWAS and their backers should take into account in whatever actions they take against the military clique in Niger!

    Yet, what baffles keen observers is North’s tepid condemnation of the coup in Niger, but a vehement opposition to deploying might to push out the coupists from their illegal seizure and occupation of power in the country.

    Why didn’t the North employ the same vehemence to condemn the coup as one too many, and urge the junta to return to the barracks? Perhaps, the ECOWAS sabre-rattling wouldn’t be necessary!

    Northerners’ opposition to removing the rebels – in a similar fashion that the soldiers had overthrown the Bazoum government – has demonstrated to the coupists that they’ve Nigerian allies and supporters that can prevail on and/or prevent the Tinubu administration from enforcing the ECOWAS roadmap on Niger.

    Sadly, some that oppose external intervention blame Tinubu for the situation in Niger, and thus see Nigeria’s position as a “Tinubu’s war” from two angles.

    Northerners regard the ECOWAS initiative as a Tinubu (Southern) war against their brethren in Niger, and invariably a war against Northern Nigeria.
    Other Nigerians consider the ECOWAS intervention as a Tinubu diversion of attention from the socio-economic challenges his government has inflicted on Nigerians since May 29, 2023.

    This is giving the dog a bad name in order to hang it. Blaming the ECOWAS push in Niger on Tinubu is uncalled for! The blame should go to Gen. Tchiani, who ousted the Bazoum government!

    The campaign to stop a possible use of force in Niger by ECOWAS shouldn’t be a blackmail tool to bully and threaten President Tinubu because he’s the Chairman of the regional body.

    Tinubu’s devoted the greater part of his life – as a pro-democracy activist and Governor of Lagos State – to fight against military incursions in government, and for enthronement and sustenance of democracy and observance of the rule of law in Nigeria.

    So, Tinubu just can’t abandon these lofty ideals as President of Nigeria – which is looked upon to lead West African countries, and the African continent in such circumstances as the ECOWAS push to restore democracy in Niger.

    Still, it’s welcoming that the President and ECOWAS remain committed to a peaceful resolution of the crisis in Niger, as Tinubu remarked at the second regional extraordinary summit in Abuja.

    His words: “We must engage all parties involved, including the coup leaders, in earnest discussions to convince them to relinquish power and reinstate President Bazoum.

    “It is our duty to exhaust all avenues of engagement to ensure a swift return to constitutional governance in Niger.”

    This’ll douse tension in the region, particularly in Nigeria, where non-state actors are jumping into the fray, to take a front row in opposing the alleged “Tinubu’s war” in Niger.

    So, Nigerians should give the President the benefit of the doubt on the Niger saga!

  • Apply more pressure on Niger junta – U.S. tells Tinubu

    Apply more pressure on Niger junta – U.S. tells Tinubu

    The United States has urged the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) led by President Bola Tinubu not to put its foot off the pedal on recent events in Niger Republic.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the U.S. told President Tinubu in a phone call to apply more pressure to ensure ousted President Mohamed Bazoum and his family were released.

    U.S. Secretary of State, Antony Blinken had a phone conversation with Tinubu on Monday, according to a statement by his spokesperson, Matthew Miller.

    According to the statement, Blinken commended President Tinubu’s leadership of the ECOWAS Second Extraordinary Summit on the situation in the Republic of Niger.

    “He noted the importance of maintaining pressure on the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland (CNSP) to restore constitutional order and to see President Mohamed Bazoum and his family released,” the statement reads.

    The statement reads in full: “Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken spoke today with Nigerian President Bola Tinubu.

    “The Secretary commended President Tinubu’s leadership of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Second Extraordinary Summit on the situation in the Republic of Niger.

    “He noted the importance of maintaining pressure on the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland (CNSP) to restore constitutional order and to see President Mohamed Bazoum and his family released”.

  • Breaking! ECOWAS condemns move by Niger junta to make Bazoum face trial

    Breaking! ECOWAS condemns move by Niger junta to make Bazoum face trial

    … insists Bazoum remains elected president

    (COPY ATTACHED)

    The West African regional bloc, ECOWAS has rejected moves by Niger military junta to make President Mohammed Bazoum to face trial on ‘high’ treason.

    TheNewsGuru.com, (TNG) reports the bloc in a statement condemned the move insisting Bazoum remains the democratically elected president of Niger.

    The bloc calls for his immediate release as he remains the recognized president of Niger Republic.

    Statement below:

  • Niger junta: NLC counsels ECOWAS on use of military force

    Niger junta: NLC counsels ECOWAS on use of military force

    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has counselled the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) on the use of military force to remove the military junta in Niger Republic.

    The NLC President, Mr Joe Ajaero, gave the advice in a statement signed by him on Sunday in Abuja.

    It would be recalled that at the end of the second extraordinary summit of the Authority of ECOWAS (Committee of Heads of State/Governments) on Aug. 10 issued a terse statement to deploy military might to restore democracy in Niger.

    The statement had directed the Committee of Chiefs of Defence Staff to activate the ECOWAS standby force with all its elements immediately.

    It also said the deployment of the ECOWAS standby force is to restore constitutional order in the Republic of Niger.

    It also said this was in order to “underscore its continued commitment to restoring constitutional order through peaceful means”.

    According to Ajaero, this is a euphemism for war, immediate war on Niger Republic, our consistently most peaceful neighbour.

    “It will amount to stating the obvious that we at the Nigeria Labour Congress are averse to military rule.

    “Indeed the history of the struggle for democratic rule in Nigeria cannot be complete without mentioning the illustrious contribution of the Labour Movement.

    “Despite our unimpeachable credentials in the popular struggle against military rule, we would strongly counsel against the use of military force to remove the military junta in Niger Republic,” he said.

    He added that the disadvantages clearly outweigh the benefits, from putting in danger the lives of the deposed President Bazoum and his family to the destabilisation of the entire region.

    He said this include Northern Nigeria and loss of many lives in and out of the battle field.

    Ajaero said that equally of significance is the unintended possibility of turning Niger into a fertile territory for proxy wars.

    “Even after the war is over, the region must brace itself for raised acts of terrorism or insurgency.

    “This is just as it might signal the end of ECOWAS as we know it today given the scenario of 10 members fighting five,” he said.

    The NLC president also said suspicions were rife that the ECOWAS leadership was trying to pull out of the fire the nut for and on behalf of another or others.

    He added that while we cannot ascertain the veracity of these claims, ECOWAS must conduct itself in such a manner that its citizens and the world would believe it has a mind of its own.

    “Coupled with this, we at the Congress have reason to believe that ECOWAS in part is victim of its double standards or discriminatory policies.

    “As it was in some instances seen as condoning and even celebrating coups.

    “In the extant matter of Niger Republic, we equally do believe that ECOWAS did not exhaust the process of dialogue before beating war drums.

    “The missions to Niamey were seen as an afterthought,” he said.

    He noted that one of the consequences of weaponising electricity supply to Niger Republic was the right of proportionate responsorial action.

    He also that was by way of Niger Republic damming the Niger River with unimaginable effects on our echo system.

    “Beyond all this, time has come for us to ask ourselves if we have the economic strength to prosecute this war.

    “Even seasoned Generals do admit that we can often predict the beginning of wars but can seldom tell how they end.

    “As we stated at the beginning of this statement, we are advocates of democracy and will do all that is necessary to promote and preserve it.

    “However, what will preserve democracy in our territories will not be the threat or use of military force against sovereign nations but the observance of the core values and rules of democracy,” he said.

    Ajaero added that this is up to our Presidents or political leaders to do the needful.

    “It is in consideration of these that we join other organisations and respected voices in saying ‘No to War’”, he said.

  • Niger: Blackouts from ECOWAS sanctions hurting business

    Niger: Blackouts from ECOWAS sanctions hurting business

    People in Niger are feeling the pinch from sanctions imposed by the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, in response to a military coup in the country, which have resulted in longer power cuts.

    Over a week ago, leaders of ECOWAS, a 15-member regional bloc, and the West African Economic and Monetary Union, UEMOA, decided to impose economic and financial sanctions to Niger in response to the unconstitutional power change.

    The sanctions have left the land-locked country with minimal power supply as Nigeria, whose supply accounts for 70 percent of Niger’s electricity, has cut off power supply to the country in line with the ECOWAS sanctions.

    In Niger’s capital Niamey and many other cities, people are struggling to cope with the constant and long-term power outage, and streets and neighbourhoods are getting used to being plunged into darkness for hours.

    “We used to work from 8 am to midnight, but now it’s impossible. We have an average of one hour and 30 minutes of electricity a day and it’s very difficult to be productive in such conditions. Since Nigeria cut off the electricity, our sales have gone down. We try to work with a generator, but we can’t use it for long hours because it’s expensive since we have to buy fuel regularly,” said one of the tailors in Niamey.

    “The power cuts are affecting our work. We must finish audio edits but I can’t do it. I’m suffering and so are the artists,” said an editor.

    In addition to the impacts to daily life, people are also worried about what the impact of the power outages to the country’s economy.

    “People are forced to buy torches, generators, and so on. But in order to use them they have to buy batteries, fuel and maintenance. These are unforeseen expenses that will affect the purchasing power of the population. This can cause inflation at the level of economic agents This situation is disastrous because electricity is a cross-cutting product used in almost all economic activities,” said one of the residents.

    On July 26, the military in Niger detained President Mohamed Bazoum and chose Abdourahamane Tchiani, former leader of the country’s presidential guard, to lead the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland, a governing body established by the soldiers after the coup, which has been since exercising legislative and executive authority.

    The coup, the third of its kind in West Africa in three years, has drawn condemnation from many African countries, which view the unconstitutional change of power as a threat to stability and development on the continent

  • Niger coup: ECOWAS Parliament divided over military intervention as option

    Niger coup: ECOWAS Parliament divided over military intervention as option

    The ECOWAS Parliament was on Saturday divided over taking military action as an option aimed at tackling the political situation in Niger Republic and restoring civil rule there.

    Some members made called for actions that would nip in the bud military incursion into politics within the region, while others identified diplomacy and dialogue as the best approaches to tackling the crisis.

    No fewer than 22 parliamentarians participated in the virtual extraordinary meeting to discuss the political crisis in Niger.

    Some members who were against military intervention highlighted the economic woes that the people of Niger could experience if invaded.

    Ali Djibo, from Niger Republic said already at least 9,000 schools had been closed down owing to the crisis.

    “War will only compound the economic woes the peoples of the sub-region are already going through.

    “As we speak, over a thousand trucks, loaded with goods, are stranded at the border.

    “If a coup happened in Nigeria or Cote’d’Iviore tomorrow, where’s the ECOWAS going to mobilise troops to fight the Nigerian or Ivorian military? How many borders are we going to close?

    “We must also bear in mind that if we’re applying the ECOWAS treaty, it should be applicable to all.”

    Awaji-Inombek Dagomie Abiante (Rivers), ECOWAS must pay keen attention and treat the root causes of coups in ECOWAS countries

    Members of the ECOWAS Parliament making a case for military intervention in Niger said diplomacy had contributed in no small measure to the increase in the spate of military takeover of government in the West African sub-region.

    Contributing, Adebayo Balogun, posited that ECOWAS leaders were proposing military action to remove the junta. not clamouring for a fully-fledged war.

    He recalled that Niger was a signatory to ECOWAS’ revised protocol on non-military intervention.

    Also, Bashir Dawodu expressed the belief that the body should open itself up to the possibility of a military option and apply pressure on the putschists while exploring dialogue.

  • JUST IN: Kano residents troop out to protest against ECOWAS plan to invade Niger Republic

    JUST IN: Kano residents troop out to protest against ECOWAS plan to invade Niger Republic

    Protesters have trooped out into the streets of Kano to reject propoo use of force by ECOWAS to resolve the Niger coup crisis.

    TheNewsGuru.com, (TNG) recalls Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) had directed military forces of the member states to be on standby.

    The protesters on Saturday embarked on the demonstration to show their displeasure at the planned military invasion of Niger Republic.

    While moving in a procession, they were chanting “Nigeriens are our brothers, Nigeriens are also our family.

    “Niger is ours, we don’t want war, war against Niger is injustice, a plot by the western forces.”

    They displayed Nigeria and Niger’s flags alongside placards, chanting anti-war catchphrases.

    This followed an intense call from different quarters, especially Northerners who believe that Nigeriens are neighbours with whom they share things in common.

  • ECOWAS Parliament holds extra-ordinary session to discuss Niger

    ECOWAS Parliament holds extra-ordinary session to discuss Niger

    The ECOWAS Parliament will on Saturday, Aug. 12 hold an Extra-Ordinary Session via the web to exhaustively discuss the recent political developments in the Republic of Niger.

    This is contained in a statement by the Communications Division of the parliament.

    The parliament said that within the context of giant changes that occurred in the politico-economic spectrum of the world in the late 1980s, several ECOWAS member states were motivated to take decisive steps towards achieving peace and security through the development of democracy and good governance by the early 1990s.

    “Thus, the ECOWAS Supplementary Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance came into force in 2001, marking an important stage in the sub-region’s political development.

    “Military regimes and one-party systems caved in for the emergence of multi-Party democracies.

    “Nevertheless, recent political developments in the region are pointing toward a reversal of the political gains of the past two decades.

    “There is a resurgence of unconstitutional changes of government through military coup d’etat, as recorded in four Member States of the sub-region, namely: the Republics of Mali, Guinea, Burkina Faso, and most recently, Niger,’’ the parliament observed.

    It said consequent upon such developments, the day-long session would see the 115-member parliament considering the emerging developments, following the unconstitutional change of government by the military of the Republic of Niger.

    Niger’s military last month imprisoned President Mohamed Bazoum and assumed power, drawing condemnation from international powers and raising the spectre of further conflict in the impoverished Sahel region of West Africa which is already overrun by a deadly Islamist insurgency.

    The ECOWAS Parliament has a total of 115 seats and 14 Standing Committees.

    Each member state is guaranteed a minimum of allotted five seats, with the remaining 40 seats distributed in proportion to the population of each country.

    Consequently, Nigeria has a total of 35 seats, followed by Ghana with eight seats.

    Côte d’Ivoire is allotted seven seats, while Burkina Faso, Guinea, Mali, Niger, and Senegal have six seats respectively.

    The remaining ECOWAS member states, namely Benin, Cabo Verde, The Gambia, Guinea Bissau, Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Togo, have allotted to each of them, five seats.