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•Gets Southern African bloc’s endorsement
From Aidoghie Paulinus, Abuja
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Committee of Chiefs of Defence Staff, yesterday, began talks in Accra, Ghana, to address the political situation in the Republic of Niger with a resolve to activate its standby force to intervene militarily should diplomatic efforts fail.
All member states except those under military rule and Cape Verde pledged to participate in the standby force.
Niger junta have defied calls from the United Nations, ECOWAS, and Western powers to reinstate deposed President Mohamed Bazoum.
Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Gwabin Musa, noted: “Democracy is what we stand for and it’s what we encourage. The focus of our gathering is not simply to react to events, but to proactively chart a course that results in peace and promote stability.”
He said the Defence Chiefs found themselves gathered under circumstances that none of them would have wished, adding that the coup d’état in the Republic of Niger has been a source of great concern, not just for ECOWAS, but for all who believe in the ideals of democracy, stability, and the rule of law.
“It is a poignant reminder of the challenges we face as a region, and the urgent need to stand together in unity and solidarity.
“As we continue our deliberations today, I would like to remind us all that the purpose of our gathering is not simply to react to events, but to proactively chart a course that preserves peace, promotes stability and upholds democratic principles across our region. We must remember that our collective actions today will shape the legacy we leave for future generations.
“The path that lies before us is not an easy one, but it is a path that we must tread, nonetheless, with courage and determination. As we grapple with the complexities of the situation in the Republic of Niger, let us not forget that at the heart of our discussions are the lives of millions of people who yearn for peace, stability, and progress. We must not allow the people of Niger to suffer needlessly.”
Musa also said the task, as the Committee of Chiefs of Defence Staff of ECOWAS states, was to ensure that their responses to the crisis were not driven by fear, but by the principles of justice, respect for human rights, and the unwavering commitment to the rule of law.
ECOWAS Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security Abdel-Fatau Musah added: “Let no one be in doubt that if everything else fails, the valiant forces of West Africa…are ready to answer to the call of duty, By all means available, constitutional order will be restored in the country.”
He listed past ECOWAS deployments in Gambia, Liberia and elsewhere as examples of readiness.
On his part, Minister of Defence, Republic of Ghana, Dominic Nitiwul, said the security of the ECOWAS sub-region was going through one of the difficult moments after the challenges in the 1990s when rebel incursions destabilized parts of the ECOWAS sub-region.
Meanwhile, the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC), has backed the actions taken so far by ECOWAS and the African Union on the Coup in Niger Republic.
The High Commissioner of Namibia to Nigeria and the Dean of the SADC, Humphrey Geiseb, disclosed this yesterday while speaking with journalists at Hope of Survival Ophanage Home, Abuja.
Commenting on coup and the stance of ECOWAS, Geiseb said the Southern African region is mostly peaceful, adding that: “We hold regular elections and democracy is very strong in our region.”
The envoy said the Southern Africa region is part of the African Union, pointing out that whatever happens in other regions of the African continent indirectly affects SADC.
“Southern Africa is part of the African Union and the concerns and feelings about the situations of coups as expressed by ECOWAS which is a regional body just like the Southern Africa Development Community, and equally by the African Union. So, we are fully behind the statements and positions of ECOWAS and the African Union,” he said.
