Against the backdrop of the lingering political unrest in Niger, an alliance of six civil society organizations, CSOs, from across West Africa has publicly cautioned the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, against forcing the sub-region into an armed conflict.
The coalition argued that such an approach would only amplify the suffering of the people
In a joint statement, Dr. Zikirullahi Mualeem Ibrahim, the convener of the coalition, said: “The coalition rejects the attempts by decision-makers to railroad the subregion towards an armed conflict, which in all intents and purpose would further multiply the misery and suffering of ordinary citizens.
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“Therefore, the threat of war and actual mobilization of military options in the context of the political crisis, is not in the interest of the people of Niger, Nigeria, and the rest of ECOWAS.”
He called on the ECOWAS to strive for democracy both in spirit and character, as a means to restore peace and order in the region.
The coalition comprises the Resource Centre for Human Rights & Civic Education, CHRICED; Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre, CISLAC; Human and Environment Development Agenda, HEDA; and Centre for Democracy and Development, CDD.
Others are Centre Africain d’Appui au Leadership aux Droits Humains et à l’innovation Sociale, CALDHIS; and Network of Nigerien Organizations for the Defense of Democracy and Human Rights, RONIDDEDH.
He criticized ECOWAS for its previous silence on anti-democratic practices within its member states.
“It’s instructive to note that ECOWAS found it convenient to be silent when some of the leaders within its fold decided to adopt anti-democratic methods to perpetuate themselves in office,” Ibrahim noted.
He also pressed the military junta in Niger to present a well-defined and practical transition plan towards the restoration of democracy and constitutional order.