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By Chukwudi Nweje, Lagos
As the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), hold an extraordinary summit on the political situation in the Republic of Thursday, following the expiration of the seven ultimatum it handed down to the Gen Abdourahamane Omar Tchiani-led military junta in Niger Republic, by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), to restore President Mohamed Bazoum expired on Sunday, a civil society group, under the auspices of the National Observatory, has charged the sub-regional body to give priority attention to the interests of Nigeriens, the sub region and Africa in their intervention efforts to restore the democratically elected president to power.
The group noted that the contending issues in the coup, which has attracted the attention of France and other Western powers are the country’s natural resources, and urged the ECOWAS leaders not to lose sight of the freedom of that country, its people and the manacles of foreign powers’ exploitation of the Niger Republic’s natural resources and domination of African people in their intervention.
A statement signed by its President, Debo Adeniran and Administrative Secretary, Omotaje Olawale Saint said the scenario playing out in Niger Republic is a tussle for dominance and exploitation of the country’s resources by opposing forces.
It urged ECOWAS and Nigeria to be cautious in considering options for amicable resolutions so as not to be inadvertently drawn into a proxy war situation of foreign powers.
The statement said, “The tragedy of the emerging scenarios is that the interests of Africa and its peoples are not given true and thorough interrogations in finding panacea to the dooming sceptre of military interregnums in the continent. The contending concerns revolve round the questions of sovereignty, democracy, control of natural resources and power play by foreign interests.
“The Western Power bloc, queuing behind France is routing for Tchiani and his comrades in arms to go back to the barracks and restore democratic government of Bazoum, without ruling out the option enforcement of their position by military options.
“Another global power bloc keenly interested in positioning itself in the running of affairs are raising the platitudes of ‘territorial sovereignty’. This block is largely supported by Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa ( BRICS ) group and their transnational corporations.
“The tragedy of the emerging scenarios is that the interests of Africa and its peoples are not given true and thorough interrogations in finding panacea to the dooming sceptre of military interregnums in the continent.
“What is necessary is, multilateral relations, diplomatic solution that will address fundamental interests of Nigeriens, the Sub Region and Africa, survival, and freedom from the manacles of foreign powers’ exploitation of our natural resources and domination of African people.”
The group called on the ECOWAS leaders to weigh the options well and take the approach that would best serve Niger Republic and Africa’s interest.
“The National Observatory urged the Nigerian Government and ECOWAS to reflect deeply on the permanent interests of their citizens, survival of the African people, the sub region and continent in finding solutions to the threats of anti -democratic, marauding forces in the continent.
“If the situation in Niger is not properly macro-managed, global economic vultures and vampires will stop hovering but permanently perch to feast on carcasses in Niger and the sub region.
As things are, the region is presently precariously bedevilled by incursions of multiple layers of armed, terrorist groups and battling with economies in acute, compounded recession, it is on the brink of collapse in real terms and cannot risk any social upheavals.
“Global Peace institutions like the United Nations, the African Union should convene a multilateral platform to address the renew surge of undemocratic take over of government in the sub region. In handling the Niger coup, it should be treated as a Bull in a China wares shop,” the statement said.
