Commissioner of political affairs, peace and security for the ECOWAS Commission, Ambassador Abdel-Fatau Musah, has revealed that the military junta in Niger is playing “cat and mouse” with the ECOWAS community.
According to him, this is the second time in the space of two weeks that the committee of chiefs of defense staff of ECOWAS is meeting on the coup situation in Niger.
However, Ambassador Musah stated that the military in Niger has flouted ECOWAS’ instruments, particularly, the various sections of the supplementary protocol on democracy and good governance that declares zero tolerance for power obtained or maintained by unconstitutional means.
“This is the second meeting that we are having, and it follows also the second extraordinary meeting of the ECOWAS heads of state and government, also in the space of less than two weeks – who gave us the marching orders to activate the ECOWAS standby force with all its elements and start preparation for deployment to Niger should all other measures fail. These junta in Niger is playing cat and mouse with the community – they should know one thing; they have flouted their own constitution that forbids military incursions in politics.”
Ambassador Abdel-Fatau Musah
Addressing a meeting with Chiefs of Defense Staff within the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) subregion today, August 17, 2023, Ambassador Musah explained that sections of the ECOWAS protocol which also talks about the democratic control of the armed forces and their subjection to the authority of civilian authorities, have been flouted by the junta.
To this, he explained that the principal role of armed forces is the defense of the territorial integrity of member states and to ensure security. However, he highlighted that it is ironic that many of these juntas that have overthrown democratically elected governments cite insecurity as the reason for which they stage the coup, whereas they are the cause of such insecurity.
Furthermore, Ambassador Musah defended the regional body’s stance on military intervention in Niger, indicating that calls on ECOWAS to rescind its decision of deploying troops to Niger is unjustifiable.
He equally affirmed that if ongoing diplomatic dialogues fail to yield results, the standby force is prepared to act decisively.
“Let no one be in doubt that if everything fails, the valiant forces of West Africa, both the Military and Civilian components are ready to answer the call of duty. Your valiance has been demonstrated time and time again.”
Ambassador Abdel-Fatau Musah
Recurrence of coup in ECOWAS subregion
On his part, defense minister, Dominic Nitiwul, revealed that nations in the subregion are yet again facing crisis they thought had disappeared when all 50 members of ECOWAS countries chose the path of democracy and had civilian governments. He highlighted that ECOWAS then, became the toast of the international community and the investor world.
That notwithstanding, he lamented that Africa has over the years been bedeviled by coup d’états and military takeovers, while other regions did not have same.
“Southern and eastern countries have relatively been very peaceful and whiles we were creating issues for ourselves; they were busily attracting investments. The result is that our people were there for the West, but today, our nations within West Africa are sliding again into the era that we thought will never come. That is why it is clear to all of us that the security of the subregion is going through one of the most difficult moments after the challenges in the 60’s, 70’s and particularly the 90’s…”
Dominic Nitiwul
Mr Nitiwul expressed that ECOWAS can only become weaker by the acts perpetrated by military takeovers and coups in the subregion. He recounted that following the coup in Niger, ECOWAS deployed all diplomatic efforts to resolve the crisis, but the head of the military junta remained defiant after the expiration of the one-week ultimatum given for the restoration of constitutional order in the country.
“… The heads of state and government issued a communique which was signed by His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu of Nigeria who is the Chairman – they reaffirmed that President Mohammed Bazoum remains the legitimate elected President and head of state of Niger and duly recognized by ECOWAS, Africa Union and international community…”
Dominic Nitiwul
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