A former Nigerian vice president, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar has cautioned the West African regional bloc, Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), against military intervention or the use of force to dislodge leaders of the coup in Niger Republic.
The Niger presidential guards led by its commander, Maj. Gen. Oumar Tchiani, had, last week, staged a coup which overthrew President Mohamed Bazoum, leading ECOWAS and members of the international community like the United States, the European Union, African Union, France, and others calling for the immediate reinstatement of Bazoum.
ECOWAS had also issued sanctions on the coup leaders, with a threat to use military force to remove them.
But Atiku, in a statement on Thursday, warned the bloc which is led by Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu, against the resort to military intervention against the junta leaders.
He added that the coup which had brought negative international attention to the region, “requires diplomatic engagements,” and urged that channels for dialogue should be well sustained instead of the use of military force.
“The putsch is even more worrisome because the number of states that have witnessed military intervention in the last three years in the subregion is increasing,” Atiku 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, the role taken so far by the Economic Community of West African States has been commendable.
“As the ECOWAS continues to work towards reinstating democracy in the Republic of Niger, it must be reinforced that the regional body should not travel the road of military hostilities that may exacerbate the status quo.
“The crisis in the Republic of Niger requires diplomatic engagements, and that must mean that the channels for dialogue should be well sustained.
“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 stated.