Coordinators of prominent social, cultural, and political organisations in the country under the aegis of the Southern and Middle Belt Leaders Forum have appealed to President Bola Tinubu not to employ the military option to drive the Nigerien coupists from the seat of government in the North African country.
Also, the 14th Emir of Kano, Mohammad Sanusi, yesterday said that the current crisis in the Niger Republic requires public diplomacy which should not be left to the government alone.
He stated this while speaking to journalists after meeting with President Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
This came as an international civil group, Egalitarian Mission for Africa (EMA), dragged President Tinubu before the Economic Community of West African (ECOWAS) Court of Justice, seeking to invoke the protocols of the court to stop the purported planned military action against the Niger Republic over the recent coup.
*Clark, Adebanjo, Iwuanyanwu, Islamic clerics tell Tinubu
Speaking through its leaders, Chief EK Clark; Afenifere’s, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, and President-General, of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, the Southern and Middle Belt Leaders Forum (SMBLF) condemned the military coup which occurred in Niger on 26th July 2023, overthrowing the democratically elected government of President Mohamed Bazoum.
Other signatories are the President of the Middle Belt Forum, Dr Pogu Bitrus, and the National Chairman of the Pan-Niger Delta Forum, Senator Emmanuel Essien.
The SMBLF noted that the development occurred after many years of instability and a history of attempted and successful military coups.
It recalled that Mohamed Bazoum was the first president to peacefully inherit power from another democratically elected president.
It expressed concern that military governments have also taken power in neighbouring countries of Mali and Burkina Faso, stressing that the addition of Niger to the list for such a breach of national constitutions, is very uncomfortable and definitely cannot be allowed to stand.
It, therefore, urged Tinubu, who is the Chairman of ECOWAS to tread with caution while handling the delicate issue.
Part of the SMBLF statement read, “It is, therefore, necessary that concerted efforts should be put in place to ensure that democracy is restored urgently in the Republic of Niger and that the new military leader, Tchani, and his cohorts, are made to abdicate the power, which they seized by force.
“Nonetheless, as important as the restoration of democracy is to Nigeria, the ECOWAS, and the global community, we advise President Tinubu to realise that his primary responsibility is to the peace and security of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“All actions of our government should therefore focus on how Nigeria can play its roles and obligations without getting stuck in the crisis in Niger.
“This is why we commend the President for taking moves to follow up negotiations and political contact using the former Head of State, Abdulsalami Abubakar, and the Sultan of Sokoto.
“This process should be accelerated, using other sources both within Nigeria and our neighbouring countries that can be of benefit to the cause.
“The information available to us shows that there are other personalities in Nigeria and international figures who can also be used to intervene in the matter.
“We discourage the temptation to adopt military means to force the illegal government out of power. From our judgment, such a move will be resisted sternly by forces both within Niger and Nigeria.
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“It is important to note that several of our Nigerian communities in the extreme north do not see Niger as mere neighbours but enjoy a lot of traditional and cultural ties.
In those border areas, there is no difference between a Nigerian and a Nigerien.
“There are tenable concerns that if war comes, normal lives will be disrupted in the border communities, insecurity will increase, and there will be an influx of refugees.
“From our previous experience of wars, in Chad, such refugees do not stop at the border areas but penetrated the farthermost points in Nigeria and became a source of concern to all of us.
“Back in Niger, the people seem to perceive the military government as liberators due to the state of poverty and hunger. ECOWAS intervention, even if supported could, therefore, be highly resisted all across the country.
“We have also read very disturbing reports that the equally unconstitutionally existing governments in their neighbouring countries, Mali and Burkina Faso, and those in other places, within the area, may combine to resist the ECOWAS efforts in their self-interest.
“Lastly, it is known by all that Niger unlike most other countries has a lot of foreign interests. We have seen the American military bases, the French military bases, and the Italian military bases and reports of Russian and Chinese presence in their various forms are being brought up by the media.
“If care is not taken, therefore, that situation may become the centre for another seeming global war similar to what is happening in Ukraine.
“That is why as leaders of the various socio-cultural ethnic groups in Nigeria, we strongly advise the President and Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads to State to explore all avenues for a peaceful resolution.
“This matter is delicate and could affect our country’s unity and, security, and put a heavy financial burden on us, at a time when our national challenges are more than can be imagined.
“We hope Mr President will carefully continue to take heed on doing what will not create additional problems for the country and take the best decisions, in line with our national interest.
“We also urge our brothers and sisters in the border states to cooperate with the President in resolving this matter peacefully, amicably, and urgently.”
*ICG seeks ECOWAS court protocols against sub-regional leaders
Meanwhile, the Egalitarian Mission for Africa (EMA), in the suit instituted on its behalf by a Nigerian lawyer, Dr Kayode Ajulo, is praying the regional court to invoke the relevant ECOWAS treaties and international laws to stop the military invasion of Niger Republic likely to be spearheaded by the Nigerian government.
The grouse of the civil group, among others, is that the planned military action or invasion will run afoul of the obligations in the ECOWAS treaties and therefore amount to illegality.
The suit marked ECW/CCJ/APP/3/23 emphasised categorically that ECOWAS treaties prohibit aggression among member states.
Apart from the Egalitarian Mission for Africa (EMA), other plaintiffs in the matter are a former Director General of the Nigerian Institute of the Internal Affairs (NIIA), Prof Bola Akinterinwa, and a Northern region lawyer, Hamza Dantani.
Defendants are the ECOWAS, the Authority of Heads of State & Government of ECOWAS, the President of ECOWAS Mission, the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and the Republic of Niger.
A military group led by General Abdourhamane Tchiani had on July 26 toppled the civilian and democratic government of President Bazoun who has since been clamped into unlawful military detention.
Although the three plaintiffs in the regional suit described the coup d’état as most unfortunate, they, however, warned that Nigeria should not travel the dangerous road of military hostilities that may further escalate the crisis in the Niger Republic.
According to them, over 300,000 refugees, mainly Nigerian citizens, have already fled the Niger Republic adding that military action against the Niger Republic would lead to a breach of fundamental rights to life, right to dignity of human persons, and life liberty.
The plaintiffs, therefore, prayed to the ECOWAS Court of Justice for a restraining order against any form of military
action in the Niger Republic that may undermine the sovereignty and the territorial integrity of the Niger Republic.
Besides the court action, the plaintiffs’ counsel, Dr Ajulo wrote a strongly worded letter to President Tinubu, notifying him of the pendency of the suit and invoking the protocol of the ECOWAS court on the need to respect and obey the rule of law as well as to refrain from doing that will militate against the subject matter.
The letter is entitled: “Notification of Pendency of case before the ECOWAS Community Court of Justice; Call for Strict Adherence to the Protocol of the Honourable Court of the ECOWAS Community Court of Justice’.
It read in part: “We are Counsel to the Plaintiffs/Applicants in the above case before the ECOWAS Community Court of Justice and it is on their firm and unequivocal instructions that we write.
“Sequel to the resolution and several sanctions imposed by the ECOWAS in the aftermath of the unfortunate and unconstitutional takeover of the democratically elected Government of the Republic of Niger, we have lodged a case before the ECOWAS Community Court of Justice in an application for relief as the proposed military intervention in the Republic of Niger would be tantamount to aggression between ECOWAS member states.”
*This is time for public diplomacy- Sanusi
Meanwhile, Sanusi has said the current crisis in Niger Republic requires public diplomacy which should not be left to the government alone.
Speaking with journalists after meeting with President Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, the former Emir of Kano, who arrived at the State House about 8:25 pm, said that he came to brief President Tinubu on his discussions with the leaders of the military junta that overthrew the democratically elected government.
According to him, “I came to brief him on the details of my discussions with leaders of Niger. We’ll continue to do our best to bring the two parties together to improve understanding.
“This is the time for public diplomacy, it’s not a matter that we leave to governments, all Nigerians, all Nigeriens need to be involved to find a solution that works for Africa, a solution that works for Niger that works for Nigeria and a solution that works for humanity.”
Asked to respond to the reports that he took the initiative by himself and not the government’s delegation, he said, “No, I was not sent by the government. Government officials were aware I was going, but it was my initiative, to use my contacts to get there and I will continue to do my best. It is my duty as a leader to do that.”
He said that he was well received by the military juntas in Niger.
*Top Islamic clerics get Tinubu’s nod to negotiate with Niger Ulama
Similarly, a delegation of leaders of major Islamic groups in Nigeria yesterday met with President Tinubu and got his approval to dialogue with their colleagues (Islamic Scholars) in the Niger Republic on how to restore peace and democratic government in the country.
The clerics (Ulamas), who are opposed to war with the Nigerien military, as threatened by the ECOWAS, said that apart from the dire consequences of armed conflict, they are enjoined by their religious faith and the Quran to seek mediation first in cases like his before resorting to war.
The delegation had representatives of all the different Islamic sects in the country.
Sheikh Bala Lau of the Izalla group and Sheikh Abdurahman Ahmad of Ansar Ud Deen spoke to journalists on behalf of leaders of other sects.
According to Sheikh Lau, “We thank Allah that He allowed us to meet with Mr. President and the delegation of Ulama from here in Nigeria met with Mr. President on the issue of Niger Republic. We want to find a lasting solution, we want peace and harmony to reign, not only in Nigeria but in the sub-Saharan region and globe as well.
“The Ulama advised Mr. President that we want peace and reconciliation. If anything happens between you and your neighbor, the Holy Quran commands you to reconcile, so we want reconciliation.
“That’s why we are here and our able leader and President accepted the offer that he wants us to intervene and to talk to our brothers in Niger Republic, the scholars also there on how we can come together and bring a lasting solution to this problem.
“That is why we are here and Insha Allah, by the grace of Allah, we’re optimistic that Allah will do it for us and we’ll find a lasting solution to this issue. May Allah continue to guy us and may He continue to protect us.”
Also speaking, Sheikh Ahmad added: “It’s the way Sheikh Bala Lau has stated it. The President, he said, welcomed our intervention and he has promised that if we could also talk to the people on the other side, for them to be ready to give a concession, then ECOWAS which he’s Chairman of will also be ready.
“Other than that, the President deplored coup d’état in the Sahel region, and as a democrat himself, he said he will do everything to ensure that there is a democracy, justice, freedom, and peace in the sub-region.”
*ECOWAS heads meet today in Abuja
As the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS Heads of State and Government meet on Thursday to decide on the action to be taken against the military junta that overthrew the democratically elected government in the Republic of Niger, Islamic clerics have warned against the use of military action in bringing back President Mohamed Bazoum
The ECOWAS Heads of State and Government headed by President Tinubu in a meeting in Abuja issued a seven-day ultimatum to the military junta in Niger Republic to reinstate Bazoum as democratically elected President or face a range of stiff sanctions.
The Extraordinary Session of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of the ECOWAS, in its resolution, recognised Bazoum as the legitimate President of the nation.
The regional body also threatened to impose land border closures and no-fly zone conditions on the Niger Republic should the military coup masterminds fail to heed its ultimatum.
It also tasked all Chiefs of Defence Staff of the member-states to proceed for an emergency meeting to strategize on effective ways to implement a possible military operation to restore constitutional order to the office.
However, the Islamic clerics after meeting with President Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, warned against military action in Niger and advocated for diplomacy.
In an interview with journalists in the Hausa language after the meeting with the President, Secretary General of Jamaatu Nasrul Islam (JNI), Prof Khalid Abubakar Aliyu, said that the meeting discussed the proposed military action in Niger.
Aliyu said they were invited by President Tinubu based on their positions as clerics and they respectively honoured the invitation.
He said, “Our visit also serves as a working (official) visit. We discussed important matters relating to our dear country and we gave our advice on good leadership, we discussed subsidy removal and we gave our advice on that too and we told him we wish he had had this consultation before subsidy removal so that its implementation would have been smooth devoid of all this hardship.
“Regarding Niger issues, we told him our stand which is dialogue. Diplomacy is the best option, military intervention will not yield the desired outcome. We do not support military intervention, we are emphasising the use of diplomacy.”
On the assurance given to them by the President, he said, “We are on the same page. He is not insisting on military intervention too. All peaceful means will be followed and exhausted.”
Further asked whether they are worried that ECOWAS position may strain long good brotherhood between Nigeria and Niger Republic, the cleric said, “Nigeria and Niger are just like two brothers, we share border, culture, family, languages and even religion. We have to trade with caution and solve the issue amicably.”
