The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has asked the military junta in Niger Republic to allow democracy to thrive in the country.
The landlocked Western African country experienced its fifth coup on July 26 when a faction of soldiers toppled democratically elected President Mohamed Bazoum.
Efforts to restore constitutional order in the country by regional leaders under ECOWAS have yielded little results so far.
Last week, ECOWAS said it had begun the activation of its standby force in Niger Republic after the military junta defied the bloc’s deadline to relinquish power.
After meeting with an ECOWAS delegation led by Abdulsalami Abubakar, former head of state, Abdourahamane Tiani, the military leader, said the country would return to civilian rule within three years.
However, ECOWAS rejected the proposed transition plan, saying it would no longer accept such prolonged periods in the sub-region.
Speaking to reporters on Friday, Omar Alieu Touray, president of the ECOWAS commission, said the bloc is determined to ensure that coups in the region do not become a habit.
Touray urged the Niger junta to reconsider its stance, adding that the option of a military intervention is still very much on the table.
“Even now, it is not too late for the military to reconsider its action and listen to the voice of reason as the regional leaders will not condone a coup d’etat,” Touray said.
“The real issue is the determination of the community to halt the spiral of coup d’etat in the region.”
The ECOWAS commission president pointed out that military intervention is not a declaration of war or an “invasion” of Niger.
He added that such intervention would be a legitimate force allowed under ECOWAS statutes agreed by members.
“The instruments include the use of force. So it is very much on the table, as are other measures we are working on,” he said.
“If peaceful means fail, ECOWAS cannot just fold its hands.”
Abdulsalami had assured that diplomatic interventions to restore constitutional order in Niger would succeed.
He said discussions with Niger’s military junta had been very fruitful, expressing hope that positive actions would soon come out of it.
(The Cable)
