By Linus Aleke
The Military High Command in the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), under the umbrella of Committee of the Chiefs of Defense Staff (CCDS), on Wednesday said, the recent coup d’etat in the Republic of Niger is one event that calls for collective attention and a united response.
It also, observed that the task of restoring democratic governance in Republic of Niger is fraught with potential hurdles and complications.
The Nigerian Chief of Defense Staff (CDS) and incumbent President of the ECOWAS Committee of Chief of Defence Staff (CCDS), General Christopher Gwabin Musa, made this observation, during the extraordinary meeting, convened by ECOWAS to evolve kinetic approach to restore constitutional order in Niger, in an event of faliure of diplomatic options.
Noting that the decisions of the CCDS, will inevitably shape the lives of millions of people around the sub-continent, General Musa, said, ECOWAS has been resolute in its stand against any form of illegal takeover of power, as enshrined in the 2001 Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance.
General Musa said: “It is this principle that compels us to convene today and address the current situation in Niger. The political instability in Niger is a source of grave concern for us all. It threatens our shared vision of a peaceful, secure, and prosperous West Africa, a vision that is impossible to achieve amidst political upheavals and disruptions to constitutional order.
Therefore, it is incumbent upon us to deliberate on this issue and chart a course towards resolution, in accordance with the principles of democracy, rule of law, and respect for human rights. We are not oblivious to the complex challenges that lie ahead.
The task of restoring democratic governance in Niger is fraught with potential hurdles and complications.However, we cannot afford to be hamstrung by these challenges. Instead, we must confront them head-on, drawing upon our shared experiences, wisdom, and the strength of our collective resolve”.
He added, “Our decisions will send a strong message about our commitment to democracy, our intolerance for unconstitutional changes of government, and our dedication to regional stability”.
The CDS also drew attention to the people of Niger, who are the most affected by the current situation, saying, “Our actions should be guided by their interests and wellbeing”.
He noted that it is the responsibility of the military to ensure that voices of the citizens of Niger are not silenced, their rights not trampled upon, and their aspirations for a peaceful and democratic country not dashed.
“I am confident that, together, we can navigate these challenging times and emerge stronger as a regional community. The strength of ECOWAS lies in our unity, our shared values, and our unwavering commitment to the principles of democracy, peace, and prosperity.
Let us, therefore, shoulder this responsibility with determination and resolve, and let our deliberations and decisions reflect the ideals that ECOWAS was founded upon.
“I am certain that our collective wisdom and commitment will guide us towards the right path. Our meeting today is not just about the restoration of democracy in one country, but about the preservation of the principles we all hold dear across the region. We are tasked today with a mission that requires us to rise above our individual interests and think as one community.
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We must remember, we are not just Chiefs of Defense Staff, we are custodians of peace and stability in our region. As we deliberate, let us keep in mind that our decisions will echo beyond conference rooms, shaping the lives of millions of people and the future of our region,” he said.
Recall that the Authority of Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS met at an Extraordinary Session in Abuja on 30 Jul 23 in response to the latest political developments in the Republic of Niger.
Accordingly, the extraordinary meeting is a fall out of the Final Communique of that Meeting.
