‘Prioritise diplomatic solutions’ — NIPPS alumni advise ECOWAS on Niger crisis

The Alumni Association of the National Institute (AANI) has cautioned the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) against taking military action in resolving the crisis in Niger Republic.

AANI is an organisation of graduates of the senior executive course (SEC) of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) in Jos, Pleatue state.

 The association asked the regional body to consider the immediate and long-term implications of military intervention on the people of the Niger Republic and the wider West African sub-region.

Last Sunday, at a meeting presided over by President Bola Tinubu, ECOWAS chairperson, the organisation issued sanctions against Niger, asking the military junta to reinstate the ousted President Mohamed Bazoum.

Part of the sanctions is the suspension of all commercial and financial transactions between member states and the country.

ECOWAS said it would take all necessary measures, including the use of force if Bazoum is not reinstated within a week of the meeting.

While the organisation has sent delegations to the country for peace talks, the military junta has not yielded ground.

In a statement released on Sunday by Sani Usman, AANI national publicity secretary, the group condemned the coup in Niger and hailed ECOWAS for its efforts towards restoring democracy in the country. 

“Addressing the root causes of the political crisis in the Niger Republic and strengthening the democratic institutions in the country is vital to achieving lasting peace and stability in the region,” the statement reads.

“AANI, therefore, urges caution against immediate military action. Instead, non-military options like diplomatic pressure and economic sanctions should be adopted towards a peaceful resolution and a quicker return to democratic governance in the Niger Republic.”

The association further warned that military action by ECOWAS may escalate the current situation into a humanitarian crisis and worsen the security challenges in the West African sub-region. 

“It may also escalate tensions in the fragile security situation in the Lake Chad region and other parts of West Africa, attracting other armed groups and external actors to take advantage of it,” the statement added.

“This would exacerbate the security challenges and create a more complex and dangerous situation. It is, therefore, essential to prioritise peaceful and diplomatic solutions to the political crisis.

“ECOWAS should upscale diplomatic efforts to persuade the military leaders in Niger to relinquish power and allow the democratically elected government to reclaim the people’s mandate.

“By avoiding military intervention, ECOWAS would have demonstrated commitment to peaceful conflict resolution and regional stability.”