Very Commendable – ECOWAS Chooses Diplomacy Over Military Action, On Niger Republic Crisis

Good People, we the people won: “The security committee of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), which includes Military Chiefs from several West African nations, announced on Friday their intention to prioritize diplomacy in addressing the situation in the Republic of Niger concerning the actions of the junta.”

Yes, ECOWAS military chiefs are not going to mobilize to wage war against their brothers and sisters in Niger Republic. Rather, they will return to the barracks while politicians explore dialogues. And I ask them to be ferocious on those dialogues; we do not want military rule even as we do not want military confrontations in Africa.

More so, as Nigeria cuts off power to Niger, let me remind our leaders in Abuja that according to my Geography class in secondary school, River Niger gets a lot of its inflows from Niger. We have to be super-careful that they will not sabotage the water level, since if they do, our hydroelectric dams in Niger State will see diminished capacity. Niger Republic cannot build a dam upstream so that our dams can function, and we’re obligated to supply them electricity, under the agreement. So, we must check if we’re violating that agreement. If they retaliate, Nigeria could be in trouble.

That said, I thank all the ECOWAS leaders for freezing any kinetic action. You see, I am against wars because Nigeria’s genocide in Southeast Nigeria was real. Nigeria unleashed uncommon wickedness against fellow Africans, at home and abroad. My mother’s only surviving brother (Engr Augustine) perished in London along with many young Igbo men in a war fought in Southeast Nigeria. No one has explained what happened to them!

So, if they start wars in Niger and foreign powers make alliances, everyone, irrespective of where you are, is at war. Ask Russians living outside Russia today. So, to live in peace anywhere, NO Wars in Africa. The past is past; I just want Africa not to make that mistake again, as many here have no scars of wars, to understand that once started, the paths are unknown!

Update: the Nigerian Senate has made it official – no military option in Niger Republic.

Senators have rejected the request by President Bola Tinubu for permission to deploy Nigerian troops to Niger Republic as part of an ECOWAS force to reinstate the democratically elected president of the country,

President Mohamed Bazoum was deposed on 26 July in a coup led by his presidential guards.
ECOWAS leaders at a meeting in Abuja four days later gave the coup leaders a seven-day ultimatum to restore constitutional order or face the possible use of force. The regional body imposed sanctions on the coup leaders with Nigeria also cutting electricity supplies and closing its borders with the poor West African nation.

Following the refusal of the coup leaders to backtrack, West African defence chiefs said they had drawn a plan for military action as part of which President Tinubu wrote the Senate for permission to involve Nigerian troops in the action.

However, at an executive session on Saturday, the senators rejected the request by the president.

According to a senator who attended the meeting, senators agreed to pass a resolution condemning the coup and to commend ECOWAS leaders on their efforts to restore constitutional order in Niger, but they ruled out military options.

“Almost all the senators spoke and totally ruled out the military options because of many factors and also because of the harmonious relationship that Nigeria and Niger has always enjoyed.

“Senators instead urged President Tinubu to intensify negotiation with the coup leaders by again sending a high-powered delegation to Niamey. Someone suggested that elderstatemen like Obasanjo, Gen Ali Gusau and Abdulsalam Abubakar should be sent as special envoys to dialogue and seek a diplomatic solution.

“Senators opposed to military action pointed out that our military is highly ill-equipped and not prepared to fight any war.They said that we have fragile peace in Nigeria and that Niger is the highest arms market in Africa.

It is called a free society. Telling a country not to wage wars because those wars will affect you is not talking down on your country. I understand that everything is seen from the tribal angle (If Musa or Kemi had written this,you would not comment as done).

If Nigeria and…

— Ndubuisi Ekekwe (@ndekekwe) August 5, 2023

My Response: It is called a free society. Telling a country not to wage wars because those wars will affect you is not talking down on your country. I understand that everything is seen from the tribal angle (If Musa or Kemi had written this, you would not comment as done). If Nigeria and ECOWAS are using the pretense of democracy to wage war in Niger, and you are here chastising people for expressing free speech rights, ask yourself what drives you. You cannot have it both ways. That said, I do not care how you feel; my happiness is that ECOWAS will explore dialogues.

Comment on Feed

Comment 1: We have emerged victorious! As the united and compassionate citizens of Africa, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to ECOWAS for making a profound decision in favour of peace over chaos. Our voices have been heard, and we commend ECOWAS for diligently listening to our repeated calls for an intellectual dialogue to resolve the crisis in Niger.

This momentous achievement is a testament to the power of collaboration and diplomacy. By choosing a path of dialogue and understanding, ECOWAS has demonstrated its commitment to promoting stability and harmony in the region.

As we celebrate this triumph, let us continue to stand together as one, supporting peaceful resolutions and advocating for the well-being of all nations within Africa. With ECOWAS leading the way, we can work hand in hand to address challenges and create a brighter future for our beloved continent.

Once again, we express our sincere appreciation to ECOWAS and all stakeholders involved in this significant decision. Together, we forge ahead towards a more peaceful and prosperous Africa.

With gratitude,
The Good People of Africa

Comment 2:  I keep racking my brains about how humans always preferred war to negotiating table. After that, they return to the negotiating table after lives and properties have been destroyed.

Though in conflict resolution and management, we were told that there are three basic ways to achieve peace, that’s, Dialogue, Ignore, and War. However, going to war should never be the first option, rather a last resort.

Comment 3: Folks often the point in this debacle.

The threat of ECOWAS military intervention and imposition of sanctions and blockades are part of the responses required to force the Nigerien coupists to the negotiations table and relinquish power.

Aside the effect it would have on the junta who hijacked power unconstitutionally, It is almost certain that other prospective coupists who may have been planning a similar takeover in their own country will be watching keenly as events unfold in Niger.

ECOWAS going to war was always going to be the last card and not the first line of action. I do not believe that in the spirit of African brotherhood, any African leader is genuinely keen on waging war against a fellow African nation.

My Response: “The threat of ECOWAS military intervention and imposition of sanctions and blockades are part of the responses required to force the Nigerien coupists to the negotiations table and relinquish power. ” – unfortunately, they did not get that memo. Period, they’ve mobilized waiting to engage. Threats do not work unless you’re a civilian regime.

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