Former Vice President and presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 general elections, Atiku Abubakar, has urged the Economic Commission of West African States (ECOWAS) to avoid military hostilities in Niger Republic in response to the recent military coup that ousted President Mohamed Bazoum.
Atiku emphasized the need for diplomatic engagement to address the crisis in Niger Republic and emphasized the importance of sustaining channels for dialogue. He warned that resorting to military action could worsen the situation in the country.
“As the ECOWAS continues to work towards reinstating democracy in the Republic of Niger, it must be reinforced that the regional body should not travel the road of military hostilities that may exacerbate the status quo. “The crisis in the Republic of Niger requires diplomatic engagements, and that must mean that the channels for dialogue should be well sustained.”
The military intervention in Niger Republic has escalated tensions across the West Africa sub-region and has drawn international attention. Atiku expressed concern about the increasing number of states experiencing military interventions in the sub-region over the past three years.
As Nigeria holds a significant position in the sub-region, Atiku urged the country to play a leadership role in resolving the political crisis in Niger and ensuring the restoration of democratic governance. While acknowledging ECOWAS’s commendable efforts in reinstating democracy, he stressed the importance of prioritizing peaceful conflict resolution through diplomatic means.
Atiku called on the military insurrectionists in Niger Republic to recognize the urgency of resolving the crisis reasonably and not to delay the process further. He underscored the significance of upholding democracy as the ultimate goal in the resolution of the crisis in Niger Republic during this challenging time for the West African region.
