Participants in an international symposium on the situation in the Niger Republic and the future of African integration encouraged continental leaders to forgo constitutional modifications in lieu of tenure lengthening.
In a statement released on Wednesday following a conference hosted by the Centre for Peace Studies at Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto (UDUS), the call is made.
Dr. Abubakar Mohammed, Chairman of the International Symposium, and Prof. Muhammad Usman, Director of the Centre for Peace Studies at UDUS, respectively, signed the communiqué.
Participants included ambassadors, academics, and representatives of civil society organisations.
The stakeholders wanted African leaders to keep advocating for good governance values.
They demanded that ECOWAS uphold the protocol’s clauses that forbid member states from changing their governments in a way that is not constitutionally permissible.
The stakeholders noted that geographically and historically, Africa had been a cohesive continent.
“The integration process in the history of Africa had been influenced by religion, trade, language, and other cultural elements.
In order to advance African integration, the statement stated, “as such, intercommunity relations and other forms of social and economic interactions should be strengthened.”
The panellists further stated that the Niger Republic’s regular inhabitants were experiencing numerous challenges and sufferings as a result of the sanctions put on the nation.
“As we all know, democracy and good administration are the cornerstones of advancing peace and political stability.
In order to break the deadlock in the Niger Republic, it was stated that “the channels of communication through dialogue and diplomacy initiated by ECOWAS should be sustained rather than the use of force.”
The stakeholders additionally urged the military government in Niger Republic to free ousted President Mohamed Bazoum and other jailed officials without conditions right now in the interest of rapprochement.
It further demanded that the transition programme for the Niger Republic’s restoration to democracy not last longer than a year.
In order to restore electricity and enable for the supplies of food, medications, and other necessary commodities for the population, they pleaded with ECOWAS to reverse the sanctions imposed on the Niger Republic.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Prof. Mukhtar Bunza, Prof. Toyin Falola, Prof. Aja Akpuru-Aja, and Dr. Musa Umar delivered four papers during the meeting. (NAN)
