Nigeria will suffer heavy repercussions if ECOWAS invades Niger, ACF warns

 

Following the breakdown of negotiations between delegation of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)  and Niger Republic, the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), has warned that Nigeria will suffer heavy consequences if ECOWAS goes ahead with its planned invasion of Niger

Issuing this warning in a statement, the group urged the President Bola Tinubu and the ECOWAS to look beyond military intervention as an option to resolve the ongoing crisis in Niger.

Urging the president to avoid military intervention, the group suggested that the Mr Tinubu led ECOWAS continue to dialogue with the junta government.

The group warned that the use of force will not bring peace and stability to West Africa. region.

“ACF, however, views with concern the unfolding events in Nigeria’s immediate neighbour, the Republic of Niger, and the potential impact on the region. The measures being contemplated should have taken into consideration the historical antecedents and mutual interests of the two countries and weighed the consequences of the use of military force,” the statement read.

“While the ACF recognises the ECOWAS position to bring pressure to bear on the perpetrators, nevertheless the military option shouldn’t be a prerequisite for Nigeria’s and the Community’s continuing efforts to enthrone democracy in the region in the 21st century,” it added 

The group suggested that while  military intervention might yield a temporary solution, the result will come with repercussions for Nigeria as a leader and the regional body.

“To this end, ACF notes that while it supports the position to restore democratic rule in Niger, it calls on the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government under the able Chairmanship of President Bola Tinubu, that it should toe the path of dialogue and diplomacy and certainly not force, in resolving the current impasse in Niger in the interest of peaceful coexistence with our brotherly neighbour and stability of the ECOWAS region.”

Recall that  ECOWAS on Sunday  directed its member nations to  close land and air borders against the Niger Republic over a military coup d’état that removed democratically elected president, Mohamed Bazoum, from office.

The Authority of Heads of State and Governments of ECOWAS, which Nigeria chairs also issued a seven-day ultimatum to the military in Niger Republic to restore the ousted President.

According to ECOWAS, if the demand was not met within one week, all measures necessary to restore constitutional order in the Republic of Niger, including the use of force, will be taken.

On Friday, Tinubu wrote the Nigerian Senate to inform them of the resolutions of ECOWAS, a move many interpret as a green light for war.