The Arewa Youth Consultative Forum (AYCF) has reiterated its strong opposition to employing military intervention in Niger Republic following the recent coup that deposed President Mohamed Bazoum.
The AYCF has issued a cautionary message to President Bola Tinubu, who holds the position of Chairman of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), as well as to ECOWAS itself and the African Union (AU). The organization urges them to refrain from resorting to military force in order to confront the newly established military leadership in Niger Republic. The AYCF’s stance is that such action would be aimed at compelling the coup leaders to relinquish power and reinstate President Mohamed Bazoum before the conclusion of the ECOWAS-set 7-day ultimatum.
Yerima Shettima, the President of the Arewa Youth Consultative Forum, expressed his views on Channels Television. He argued that a military intervention by ECOWAS in Niger could have dire consequences, especially for Nigeria’s northern region. Yerima Shettima, along with various other influential figures in Nigeria, advised President Tinubu against leading ECOWAS into a military engagement in Niger. Instead, they suggest that diplomacy and dialogue should be employed to engage with the new military regime in Niger.
Yerima Shettima also urged the military leadership in Niger to promptly initiate a transition process that would reinstate democratic governance within a year. He emphasized that military rule is no longer favored in the African context.
