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From Desmond Mgboh, Kano
The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has charged the Federal Government and members of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to immediately lift the sanctions they imposed against Niger Republic
A statement signed by Tukur Muhammad-Baba, the Publicity Secretary of the Northern socio- cultural forum, tasked the Federal Government to engage more dialogue in relating to the military junta with a view to prevent a further breakdown of talks.
He explained that the present call was sequel to the expiration of the one-week deadline earlier given to the regime to restore democratic rule in the country.
“The ACF urges President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and ECOWAS to review the situation and restore full dialogue with the Nigerien military junta through the immediate lifting of the economic blockade and other sanctions imposed on the country as a sign of goodwill to facilitate swift dialogue.
“We call on President Tinubu and ECOWAS to revisit their approach to the Niger imbroglio based on concrete realities including the fact that most countries surrounding Niger Republic are not all in the ECOWAS region as Algeria, Libya and Chad may view a potential military aggression as a declaration of war against their borders.
“With Mali, Burkina Faso and Guinean military juntas also declaring support for the Niger coup leaders, the situation calls for caution so as not to further conflagrate the West African region.
While condemning the coup in totality as well as insisting on the personal safety of President Mohamed Bazoum and members of his government, the forum observed that Nigeria and Niger Republic have, over the years, enjoyed a brotherly relation.
“We should, therefore, utilise all available goodwill, diplomatic, political, economic and human assets to win back the confidence of the people of Niger, who have, historically, come to regard Nigeria as a Big Brother: the statement held.
They commended the members of the Northern Senators Forum for convincing their colleagues in the Senate to totally reject the outright use of force against Niger Republic.
“We are particularly appreciative of the Upper Chamber of our National Assembly for toeing the line of a peaceful approach to the resolution of the potentially catastrophic conflict” said the statement.
The Forum also urged the Federal Government to immediately restore the electricity supply to Niger Republic as well as to open all the nation borders so as to allow free flow of people and goods into and from Niger to Nigeria.
“Finally, the ACF further reiterates that ECOWAS and the rest of the international community must demand a very short timeline from the coup leaders within which to hand power back to elected leaders of Niger Republic” they declared.
