Ex-lawmaker tells ECOWAS to halt military plans for intervention in Niger

Robinson Uwak, a former member of the House of Representatives, urged the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and President Bola Tinubu, the organization’s head, to put an end to the planned invasion of the Niger Republic on Sunday.

In a statement released in Abuja, Uwak urged maintaining the diplomatic channels already established with the junta headed by Gen. Abdourahamane Tchiani as well as setting deadlines for the return to democratic rule.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), ECOWAS forces expressed their willingness to join the standby force formed to invade the French-speaking nation in response to the reluctance to undo the coup that ousted President Mohamed Bazoum during a meeting in Accra, Ghana, on Thursday.

In response, the former congressman praised Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, a former head of state and chairman of the national peace committee, for making himself accessible to interact with the military authorities in Niger and to investigate the possibility of dialogue after being rejected during his initial visit.

Uwak claimed that Nigeria, which already has a number of security-related issues at home, cannot afford to have yet another foreign military battle take place so close to its borders.

The ECOWAS sub-regional peace and stability would gain long-term from Mr. President suspending any discussion of military action and sustaining the dialogue option.

“The president should carefully consider the effects of any battle with our adjacent nation, including the post-traumatic disorders, the breaking up of cross-border filial ties, the destruction, and the wounds that may not recover.

Let’s take every precaution to prevent this war, Uwak stated.

He prayed for the restoration of peace throughout West Africa, not only in Nigeria.

According to NAN, West African military leaders met for a second day in Ghana on Friday to discuss the possibility of launching an armed intervention in Niger following the overthrow of President Mohamed Bazoum there.

Following the overthrow and detention of Bazoum by generals last month, NAN reports that ECOWAS has decided to mobilise a “standby force” as a last resort to restore democracy in Niger.

In order to finalise the specifics of a future military action to reinstate Bazoum should ongoing talks with the coup leaders fail, ECOWAS defence chiefs were meeting in Accra, the capital of Ghana.

Abdel-Fatau Musah, an ECOWAS commissioner for political affairs and security, said the meeting on Thursday, “Let no one be in doubt that if everything else fails, the valiant forces of West Africa, both the military and the civilian components, are ready to answer the call of duty.”

“In the meantime, we are still giving diplomacy a chance, and the junta has the initiative.”(NAN)