Tension eases as Niger agrees to dialogue with ECOWAS
…Agric traders recount weekly loss of N13bn
…More dangers in military intervention than benefits — NLC warns FG
The tension associated with an impending war earlier announced by the ECOWAS leaders last week has been doused with the Niger Republic coup leader, General Abdourahmane Tchiani resolving to dialogue with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
This was disclosed by Niger Republic’s Prime Minister, Ali Mahamane Lamine Zeine, General Tchiani who gave the green light for talks with ECOWAS and was optimistic the talks with ECOWAS would take place in the next few days.
The Prime Minister stated this after the coup leader met with Nigerian Islamic Scholars led by the national leader of Jama’atu Izalatil Bid’ah Wa Iqamatus Sunnah (JIBWIS), Sheikh Abdullahi Bala Lau in Niger Republic.
According to Mahamane, ‘’We have agreed and the leader of our country has given the green light for dialogue. They will now go back and inform the Nigerian President what they have heard from us…. we hope in the coming days, they (ECOWAS) will come here to meet us to discuss how the sanctions imposed against us will be lifted.”
Meanwhile, a report published in Voice of Nigeria (VON) stated how the Nigeria’s Intervention Team, which included notable Islamic scholars from the country, met with the coup leaders in Niger over the weekend, and all parties decided to strengthen the option of dialogue in resolving the country’s political problem.
The Islamic Ulammas led by Sheik Bala Lau was said to have met with General Abdourahmane Tchiani for several hours in Niger’s capital Niamey during which they deliberated on all the issues including the demand by ECOWAS leaders that former President Bazoum be reinstated.
Bala Lau, who is the National Chairman of Jamatul Izalatu Bida Waikamatu Sunnah, said the clerics were in Niger on behalf of President Bola Tinubu who accepted their request to intervene.
Sheik Lau said the team had earlier told President Tinubu who is also the Chairman of Authority of ECOWAS Heads of State and Government that their position is that the political impasse in Niger is resolved through dialogue.
He, therefore, told General Tchiani that the visit to Niger was to engage in constructive dialogue to encourage him and other military leaders behind the coup to toe the path of peace instead of war to resolve the crisis. Responding, General Tchiani who accorded the team warm reception welcomed their intervention. He said their doors were open to explore diplomacy and peace in resolving the matter.
General Tchiani, however, said it was painful to the coup leaders that the ECOWAS leaders did not hear their side of the matter before issuing ultimatum to them to quit office.
He claimed the coup was well intended, stating that they struck to starve off an imminent threat that would have affected not only Niger Republic but also Nigeria.
He also apologised for not according the team sent by President Tinubu led by former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar (rtd) the required attention because they were angry about the ECOWAS ultimatum
…Agric traders recount weekly loss of N13bn
As the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) places military sanction forward to unseat military junta in the Republic of Niger, appeals and outcries of Nigerians have grown into outburst, as stakeholders have begun to count losses in economic terms.
The Arewa Economic Forum (AEF) has lamented that over N13 billion of agricultural produce is being lost weekly since the Nigeria-Niger border closure.
Addressing a press conference, in Abuja, Sunday, the Chairman of the AEF, Alh Ibrahim Dandakata, said that the border closure was hurting Nigerian traders more than Nigeriens.
He said that perishable goods, such as onions, tomatoes, pepper, and livestock were being lost to the border closure, appealing to the Federal Government to expedite action to diplomatically resolve the Niger crisis.
”Financially, our members lose N13 billion per week at the Nigeria-Niger border, due to the border closure.
“These are perishable commodities such as onions, tomatoes, pepper, animals that are stranded. The border closure has affected us very badly in the North. We Nigerians benefit more from the trade between Nigeria and Niger and so we suffer more than the Nigeriens under the current border closure,” the forum said.
While awaiting the resolution of the Niger crisis, the Chairman suggested the opening of the Maje border post between Nigeria and Benin Republic in Kebbi State, as an alternative route.
He noted that the economy of the region was hurting badly beyond what anyone could imagine under the current crisis.
The Chairman also conveyed the disapproval of the forum to military intervention by Nigeria and the ECOWAS.
According to him, any form of military intervention in Niger would negatively impact northern Nigeria and indeed, the nation.
”Nigeria or ECOWAS’ military intervention in Niger will wipe out all the gains that Nigeria has recorded in the fight against terrorists in Northern Nigeria.
“If that military intervention starts, arms will flood Nigeria. The crisis will not affect Northern Nigeria alone. It will spread to all parts of Nigeria, the Sub-region indeed the whole region,” he said.
…More dangers in military intervention than benefits — NLC warns
On its part, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), joining the outcry against military option in Niger, has warned the ECOWAS against the use of military force to remove the military junta in Niger Republic.
The NLC stating that the disadvantages clearly outweigh the benefits, said that ECOWAS did not exhaust the process of dialogue before beating war drums.
NLC in a warning statement signed by its President, Joe Ajaero on Sunday, said that such military move would only put the lives of deposed President Bazoum and his family in danger, cause the entire region, including Northern Nigeria, to become unstable, and result in the loss of many lives.
It also urged the governments to consider if they had the economic strength to prosecute a war since one could not predict what the end would look like.
“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 heightened acts of terrorism or insurgency just as it might signal the end of ECOWAS as we know it today given the scenario of ten members fighting five,” it cautioned.
NLC further stated that 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, but added that while it could not 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.
It said that it had reason to assume that ECOWAS is a victim of its discriminatory policies or double standards in part because it has been accused of supporting and even celebrating coups in some instances.
“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.
“One of the consequences of weaponising electricity supply to Niger Republic is the right of proportionate responsorial action by way of Niger Republic damming the Niger River with unimaginable effects on our ecosystem.
“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. It 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!” The statement said.
Although Nigerians have cried against the dangers of military option in Niger, it has been reported the Defence Headquarters has commenced preparations for possible mobilisation of troops and equipment for an intending combat against the junta in Niger Republic.
Some reports have said the Nigerian military high command, had directed the service chiefs to compile and submit war requirements such as the number of personnel, equipment, logistics and financial costs to the Chief of Defence Staff.
…APC trying to plunge Nigeria into needless war to disrupt election petition – PDP
Giving political undertone to the development, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), has accused President Bola Tinubu and his ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of warmongering.
According to the opposition party, the President and his party were trying to plunge the nation into a needless war in a desperate bid to cling to power by creating a state of emergency to disrupt judgement of the election petition tribunal.
The National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Hon. Debo Ologunagba, said this in Abuja, on Sunday.
He said the PDP strongly condemns what it called “the desperation by Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress (APC,) to plunge Nigeria into a state of war by dragging our military into a needless conflict with Niger Republic.”
“The PDP observes that the insistence by the APC administration to draft Nigerian soldiers into Niger Republic in defiance to the disapproval by the National Assembly and Nigerians across board, validates apprehensions in the public domain of ulterior motives by the Tinubu-led APC to import crisis and destabilise our nation for political reasons.
“While the PDP frowns at unconstitutional change of government in any part of the world, our Party holds that the situation in Niger Republic does not warrant any external peace-keeping effort and does not constitute any threats whatsoever to our national interest to justify committing our already overstretched military to harm’s way in a needless war.
“The insistence of the APC government to go to war in Niger Republic is already heightening tension in Nigeria.
“There are insinuations in the public that the APC is only desperate to deploy Nigerian military to Niger Republic so as to provoke possible external aggression from that country, thereby orchestrating a situation for the declaration of a State of Emergency in Nigeria with the tendency to cripple the judicial process on the 2023 Presidential election and divert attention from the hardship the APC has foisted on the nation in the last two months.
“It is apparent that the APC is desperate to orchestrate a situation of ‘imminent danger of invasion or involvement in a state of war’ so as to have the excuse to declare a State of Emergency under Section 305 (3) (a) and (b) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).
“The PDP holds that nothing else can explain why the APC administration is eager to go to war in Niger Republic while it has practically turned a blind eye to the insecurity situation in our country, even with the mindless killing of over 500 innocent Nigerians in Plateau, Benue, Niger, Kaduna and other States of the federation since May 2023.
“Also distressing is that the APC is ready to deploy billions of naira to prosecute a needless war despite our ailing national economy, crippled production sector, energy crisis, massive unemployment, frightening fall in the value of the Naira and excruciating hardship in the country occasioned by its ill-informed, hasty and ill-implemented policies.
“Such can only come from an anti-people administration that has no iota of interest in the security and wellbeing of the nation and its citizens.
“The PDP urges the Military High Command to take note of the disapproval of the National Assembly to the deployment of our troops to Niger Republic and be guided by the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended),” the party said.
Meamwhile, more Nigerians have continued to warn of the dangers resorting to military option might pose on Nigeria.
On Sunday, the Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, Most Rev. Ignatius Kaigama, emphasised that Nigeria cannot afford to resort to military action to ensure peace, but rather sue for dialogue.
Delivering the homily at the Church of St. Anthony, Angwan Gede, Abuja, the Archbishop also highlighted the need to redirect substantial funds, which could otherwise be used in military conflict, to address the pressing hardships faced by the Nigerian people.
“We are a nation richly blessed, but the mismanagement of our resources continues to take its toll on us.
“The humongous amounts to be contributed by Nigeria if the option of a military solution is taken, should instead be channeled in confronting the hardships Nigerians are facing.
“As we advocate for good governance and the dividends of democracy, we condemn the recent military coup in Niger. We ask ECOWAS and other stakeholders to explore paths of dialogue and other non-combative solutions,” the Archbishop said.
…Niger coupists agree to dialogue
Meanwhile, it was gathered on Sunday that the leader of the Niger Junta, General Abdourahmane Tchiani, has agreed to explore diplomatic dialogue to resolve the political impasse in the Country.
Tchiani was said to have agreed for dialogue during a meeting with Nigeria’s intervention team comprising Islamic scholars led by the national chairman of Jamatul Izalatu Bida Waikamatu Sunnah, Bala Lau.
According to a statement personally signed by Lau on Sunday, the cleric told Tchiani that “the visit to Niger was to engage in constructive dialogue to encourage him and other military leaders behind the coup to embrace dialogue instead of war to resolve the crisis.”
Responding, Tchiani said, “their doors were open to explore diplomacy and peace in resolving the matter.”
Tchiani expressed sadness that ECOWAS issued ultimatums without hearing the junta’s side of the matter.
It was learnt that Tchiani, according to Niger Republic’s Prime Minister, Ali Zeine, was ready for a dialogue, expressing hope that the talks with ECOWAS would take place in the next few days.
Zeine noted, ‘’We have agreed and the leader of our country has given the green light for dialogue. They will now go back and inform the Nigerian President what they have heard from us. We hope in the coming days, they (ECOWAS) will come here to meet us to discuss how the sanctions imposed against us will be lifted.”
…Why coup is recurring in West Africa – Shehu Sani
Meanwhile, giving insight into why coup is taking tow in West Africa, a former member of the Senate, Shehu Sani, has explained the reason for recurring military takeover of governments in Africa, saying it is because conditions are being created for it.
Speaking in an interview in Abuja, Sani who frowned at the phenomenon said: “We have seen in the past few years how democracies in the West African sub-region have collapsed. It has happened in Guinea, Burkina Faso, Mali, and now the Niger Republic.
“Coup d’etats are internal issues and they do not happen within a day. Conditions are created for the military to take over power. And in West Africa today, there are about five conditions that I have noted to be responsible for.
“First is the destruction of democratic values. Elections are rigged. Many people who call themselves democrats have no respect for the rule of law. And the constitutions are consistently violated.
“When that is done, the spirit of democracy is killed and the seed for the destruction of democracy is planted.
“Second, is economic inequity and inequality. There is so much poverty in the land. And when you have poverty, you have social dislocation and social crisis. By that, an atmosphere of illegal overthrow of government is created and giving justification for people to say democracy is not working because people are suffering, so the military need to take over.”
Sani who was the Deputy Chair of the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs in the 8th National Assembly identified the third reason as the issue of insecurity.
“The rise of terror groups in the Sahel – Boko Haram, the ANSARU, ISWAP – has made civilian authorities become dependent on the military for their safety and security.
“There is so much reliance on them. And that has given them that thinking and the mental redirection that they should be in charge.
“The fourth has to do with the fact that there is no coordinated attempt to save democracy in Africa. You find that whenever there is a coup, there is no coordinated strategy or penalty for coups. And they happen, and continue to happen
“So the coup in Niger could have been prevented if the democracy was saved.
“Fifth reason: There are issues regarding the election of Niger’s ousted President Mohammed Bazoum which ECOWAS and the African Union closed their eyes to.
“Look at it this way. In Cote d ‘Ivoire, Alassane Ouattara tinkered with the constitution as president and gave himself a third-term mandate. The ECOWAS and AU never raised an issue with that.
“The President of the Central African Republic today has tinkered with the constitution and given himself a tenure extension. The same thing has happened in Burundi. The AU and other sub-regional groups don’t raise questions,” he added.
According to him, a situation where democratic governance in member states deteriorates and regional and sub-regional bodies in the continent decide to speak out only when coups happen can always lead to the military takeover of government.
Recall ECOWAS had following the second Extraordinary Summit on the Socio-Political Situation in the Republic of Niger in Abuja on Thursday last week, ordered its standby force against military junta in Niger Republic.
The order according to ECOWAS is to restore constitutional order, a development that has left Nigerians with more uncertainties and anxiety.
Nigerians have — since President Bola Tinubu, Chairman of ECOWAS declared military option against coupists in Niger — expressed fear over the aftermath of such action against Nigerians, particularly at the Northern parts which share close boundary with the landlocked Country.
Following the refusal of the military junta in Niger to yield to the deadline given by ECOWAS, while shunning talks moves by key stakeholders and envoys of key international organisations, the 15-nation organisation on Thursday ordered its standby force, “with all its elements immediately,” to restore constitutional order in Niger Republic
Two weeks after the coup that toppled Mohamed Bazoum, ECOWAS had earlier said it was seeking a diplomatic solution but has not ruled out using force to resolve the crisis.
The 15-nation organisation gave the troops who seized power on July 26 until Sunday August 06, to reinstate Bazoum or face the potential use of force.
However, the coup leaders have shunned the warning, making more moves to legitimize a new government even after the deadline elapsed.
The military leaders who seized power last month have formed a new government, according to a decree read out on national television last Thursday.
Mohamed Bazoum was overthrown and detained on July 26 by his own guards, led by Tchiani, who proclaimed himself the new president of the nation.
The Country’s borders were afterwards shut down by the interim National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland, disregarding security pacts with France, Niger’s former colonial power.
ECOWAS in reaction froze the assets of the rebels and suspended all financial help to the nation on July 30. The sub-regional union also blocked all borders and forbade commercial flights into and out of the nation.
