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From Aidoghie Paulinus, Abuja
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Committee of Chiefs of Defence Staff, yesterday, met in Accra, Ghana, to address the political situation in the Republic of Niger.
The Second Extraordinary Meeting of the ECOWAS Committee of Chiefs of Defence Staff, followed an earlier meeting held in Abuja, following the ultimatum given to the military junta in the Republic of Niger to relinquish power to ousted President Mohamed Bazoum.
The meeting is also sequel to the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government’s August 10, 2023, session in Abuja whereby the ECOWAS leaders called for the activation of the ECOWAS Standby Force and its deployment to restore constitutional order in Niger.
In his remarks, the Nigerian Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, said the meeting was of significant importance with some measure of urgency, convened in the wake of recent events in the Republic of Niger.
Musa also 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 said.
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.
“We must strive to uphold the integrity of our institutions, protect the sovereignty of our states, and safeguard the democratic rights of our people. In this, the people of Niger are also an integral part.
“In the spirit of cooperation and mutual respect that has always characterized our engagements, I am confident that we will find a way forward. We must remember that our greatest strength lies in our unity,” Musa also said.
Musa added that as the committee embarked on the important mission, they should remember the words of the ECOWAS Vision 2050, which called for a region of peace, security, and solidarity.
“Let these words not just be an aspiration, but a guiding principle in our deliberations and decisions.
“I would like to express my sincere appreciation to all of you for your presence here today. Your commitment to the cause of peace and stability in our region is a testament to the strength of our unity and the resilience of our shared vision.
“As we embark on this journey together, let us remember that our ultimate goal is not just to resolve the crisis in Niger, but to build a stronger, more resilient ECOWAS that is capable of confronting and overcoming the challenges of our time,” Musa stated.
On his part, the Minister of Defence, Republic of Ghana, Dominic Nitiwul, said the security of the ECOWAS sub-region is going through one of the difficult moments after the challenges in the 1990s when rebel incursions destabilized parts of the ECOWAS sub-region.
“In recent times, the scourge of Terrorist Armed Group (TAG) and Violent Extremist Organizations (VEO) attacks and activities have been a source of worry to every government in the sub-region. The populations of countries affected by the activities of TAG/VEO are paying heavy prices, loss of human life, and deterioration of critical infrastructure, school dropout and fingering humanitarian crisis. States are gradually losing control of their territory, leaving large parts of it to TAG/VEO, who now control and carry out various criminal activities and illicit cross-border trafficking. Weakened by a very difficult security and humanitarian situation, some of the ECOWAS states have fallen into social and political crisis and subsequent military takeovers,” Nitiwul said.
The minister, while noting that four ECOWAS member states are facing sanctions for resorting to unconstitutional change of governments, added that the development contradicted the ECOWAS protocol on good governance and democracy.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, ECOWAS Commission, Ambassador Abdel-Fatau Musah, acknowledged the dedication of the Chiefs of Defence Staff to regional peace and security, hailing their comprehensive conclusions and proposals presented during the previous meeting.
Musah however emphasised the importance of the meeting as a step toward restoring constitutional order in Niger, even as he assured the military leaders that the necessary guidance and support would be provided to successfully fulfil their mission.
