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.
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