ACF Cautions President Tinubu Against Deploying  Military To Niger…Use Of Force ‘ll Be ‘Last Resort’-FG

The Federal Government has disclosed that the use of force would be the last resort   in respect of the steps being taken sequel to recent developments in the Republic of Niger.

 Team@orientactualmags.com learned that Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Adamu Lamuwa said  this during the programme organized by the ministry for diplomatic corps in Abuja on Friday. He was giving an update on the current political situation in Niger Republic and the ECOWAS sub-region .

In a coup detat carried out on July 26, 2023, President Mohamed Bazoum was arrested and  detained by the  coup plotters led by General Abdourahamane Tchiani.

Presidents of member countries of the   Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS),  had met at the State House, Abuja on  July 30, 2023  to discuss the coup detat carried out by the military officers  and they had  issued a seven-day ultimatum demanding that Muhammed Bazoum  should be returned to power without delay.

 Lamuwa  ,who expressed worry  that should the coup plotters be allowed to remain in power, it may stain ECOWAS’ reputation.

‘No doubt, the developments in Niger, like Burkina Faso, Mali and Guinea have raised serious concerns about regional stability and democratic principles in the region.

There is concern that the success of the coup in Niger would significantly blacken ECOWAS’ reputation, especially if the country joins the ranks of others that are governed by unconstitutional leaders, such as Burkina Faso, Guinea, and Mali’ he said.

He however noted that the ‘use of force’ would be the last resort and ‘we hope  that we do not get there’.

In the meanwhile, the  Arewa Consultative Forum, ACF,  has urged President Bola Tinubu to avoid going into war with  the military leaders in Niger.

The  ACF  in a statement issued by its General Secretary, Murtala Aliyu, on Friday said  military deployment and intervention to root out the coup plotters will not guarantee peace and stability in the ECOWAS sub-region.

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‘ACF views with concern the unfolding events in Nigeria’s immediate neighbour, the Republic of Niger, and the potential impact on the region.

The measures being contemplated should have taken into consideration the historical antecedents and mutual interests of the two countries and weighed the consequences of the use of military force.

While the ACF recognizes the ECOWAS position to bring pressure to bear on the perpetrators, nevertheless the military option shouldn’t be a prerequisite for Nigeria’s and the Community’s continuing efforts to enthrone democracy in the region in the 21st century’ the statement said.

ACF  also noted that though military intervention might yield a temporary solution, the result will come with repercussions for Nigeria as a leader and a regional body.

‘To this end, ACF notes that while it supports the position to restore democratic rule in Niger, it calls on the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government under President Bola Tinubu ‘s  Chairmanship  that it should toe the path of dialogue and diplomacy and certainly not force, in resolving the current impasse in Niger in the interest of peaceful coexistence with our brotherly neighbour and stability of the ECOWAS region’ the ACF added.

President Bola Tinubu has also sent a letter to the Senate seeking its support for military intervention to root out the coup plotters in Niger Republic.

He also sought the backing of the parliament on the decision to cut off electricity supply to the country- Team@orientactualmags.com Do you have any information you wish to share with us? Do you want us to cover your event or programme? Kindly send SMS to 08059100286, 09094171980. Thank you