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Recently, the African Union (AU) announced the suspension of Niger Republic from its activities until civilian rule is restored in the country. The AU made the announcement through its Peace and Security Council following the military intervention in the impoverished West African country.
Soldiers of the presidential guard led by Gen. Abdourahmane Tchiani, had on July 26 toppled the government of President Mohamed Bazoum. The military coup prompted the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to impose sanctions against the military regime. The AU had earlier given the coupists an ultimatum to restore the ousted administration in the country, which the military junta ignored. Similarly, ECOWAS had threatened to activate a standby force as a last resort to restore democracy in Niger Republic. Despite these moves, the coupists in Niger appear unrepentant hence the suspension of the country from AU.
Consequently, the AU has enjoined its member states and the international community, including bilateral and multilateral partners, to reject the Niger junta and refrain from any action likely to grant legitimacy to the regime. The AU also demanded the immediate and unconditional release of ousted President Bazoum and all other detainees, as well as respecting their human rights and ensuring the protection of their health and moral integrity.
Furthermore, the AU Commission alongside the ECOWAS Commission will urgently compile and submit the list of members of the military junta and their military and civilian supporters of the coup d’état in Niger, including those involved in the violation of fundamental human rights of President Bazoum and other detainees for targeted sanctions, and the application of individual punitive measures.
The AU also commended and supported the efforts by ECOWAS towards peaceful restoration of constitutional order in the Republic of Niger but asked the AU Commission to undertake an assessment of the economic, social and security implications of deploying a Standby Force in Niger.
This is not the first time the AU would be suspending a member state due to unconstitutional change of power. It had done so against Mali, Guinea and Burkina Faso where the military had intervened lately. There is no doubt that the coup in Niger is a huge blow to democracy in West Africa. The situation in the country is increasingly getting complicated with the junta proposing a three-year transition agenda which the AU and ECOWAS have rejected. This has increased the fears of the use of force by the sub-regional and continental bodies, especially in the wake of hints by the United States (US) of a possible intervention if the country’s military rulers do not return to constitutional order.
There is no need to further escalate the tension in Niger. Residents and citizens of the country have already had suffered enough since the July coup. While the coup in Niger is an aberration, we urge ECOWAS and the AU to use diplomacy to resolve the crisis.
An attack on Niger will have dire implications on the citizens and even Nigerians sharing borders with the country. That is why the Northern Senators Forum, Arewa Consultative Forum, Catholic Bishop Conference of Nigeria, have warned on the dangers of waging a war against Niger. Therefore, the leaders of ECOWAS and AU should listen to these organisations in resolving the matter. Nigeria has enough challenges to contend with and should not further entangle itself with the problem in Niger. The Niger debacle is complicated, as other foreign powers have shown interests in the country. Nigeria needs to avoid being used by other nations to achieve their goals in Niger.
We believe that diplomacy and dialogue remain the best weapons to amicably settle the Niger crisis. The suspension of Niger from the AU is a step in the right direction. Since ECOWAS and AU had rejected the three-year transition plan offered by the Niger junta, we believe that these bodies and the Niger junta should still dialogue and arrive at a realistic transition plan for the country. Besides, there is urgent need to ensure good governance in Africa. Good governance remains the only antidote to incessant coups in Africa.
Let African countries embrace multi-party democracy and play the game according to the rules. Transparency in governance is the panacea to military intervention in politics. African leaders must learn to abide by constitutional term limits.
