Islamic council advises ECOWAS against sanctions on Niger, says dialogue will work

The Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) says the sanctions imposed by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) on the Niger Republic following the coup in the country would not yield positive results.

On Tuesday, ECOWAS, chaired by President Bola Tinubu, resolved to impose financial sanctions on individuals and entities believed to be supporting the military junta in the Francophone country.

Ajuri Ngelale, special adviser to Tinubu on media and publicity, said his principal directed the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to implement the financial sanctions on those concerned.

The presidential spokesperson did not specify the sanctions and also did not reveal the identities of the individuals affected.

The sanctions are the latest in the list of strict measures that ECOWAS has imposed to coerce the military junta in Niger to reinstate deposed President Mohamed Bazoum.

The regional body has directed the closure of all land and air borders between Niger and member countries and Niger and imposed a “no-fly zone” on all commercial flights to and from the country among other economic sanctions.

In a statement on Wednesday, the NSCIA, led by Muhammad Abubakar, the Sultan of Sokoto, said the sanctions would yield little results.

“It is well known that such kinds of economic sanctions are counter-productive and eventually end in futility,” Salisu Shehu, the NSCIA deputy secretary-general, said.

The NSCIA also stated its opposition to using force to dislodge the military leaders who toppled Bazoum.

The Islamic council acknowledged that the coup leaders were defiant in their stance but called for dialogue in dealing with them.