Since the Republic of Niger’s senior military commanders attempted a coup on July 26 to remove President Mohamed Bazoum, a democratically elected leader, the country has been a sore spot for the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
After diplomatic options were exhausted and Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, who also serves as chairman of the Authority of Heads of State and Government, dispatched delegations four times, consideration was given to using military force to restore ousted Niger leader Bazoum.
Nigerien nationals Abbas Dalekon and Alhaji Abdulwahab Tama, who reside in Kano, talked with Vanguard’s BIODUN BUSARI about their concerns and hopes regarding the Niger issue, while the General Abdourahamane Tchiani-led junta showed little sign of concern.
Coup is rejected
The two nations that have backed the junta in Niger are Mali and Burkina Faso, who are prepared to form an alliance should the regional bloc launch an invasion. In order to denounce the coup d’état, other West African nations have joined ECOWAS.
Nigerian businessman Tama responded to the coup by stating that the Bazoum administration represented the people’s desire and that the coup was completely unacceptable.
The 67-year-old, who has spent 37 years in Nigeria, stated, “I denounced the coup in my country because the democratic administration of former President Mohamed Bazoum was the voice of the people, which is the foundation of democracy. He was elected by the Nigerien people, and as a few military cannot just wake up one day, and depose him, for whatever reason.”
ECOWAS should refrain from the proposed military action
To engage the junta in a peaceful negotiation, Tinubu twice dispatched a team under the leadership of Gen. Abdulsalam Abubakar, a former military head of state, and Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, the Sultan of Sokoto. Still, they couldn’t agree, so the idea of using force was considered.
In an effort to mediate between the putschists, he also dispatched a second delegation under the leadership of Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi, an Islamic scholar, but the two sessions were unsuccessful.
In response to this, Dalekon stated, “I don’t support ECOWAS invading Niger due to the acts of the few military commanders that overthrew President Mohamed Bazoum’s administration. Although I am aware that the battle is against the junta, there is no way that it cannot result in war and throw Niger into chaos.”
The 45-year-old man claimed that while he understood ECOWAS’ desire to wage war against the putschists, the battle would result in the deaths of innocent people, especially women and children.
“Women and children would perish if ECOWAS were to invade Niger in the future. Being a civilian prevents me from travelling to Niger. Since I don’t serve in the military, I lack the necessary preparation for combat. However, I hope that this will not happen. My family is in Niger, but I’m in Kano,” Dalekon said.
Nigeria need to treat Niger fairly.
The Nigerians pleaded with the Nigerian government to reopen the closed borders to Niger and to begin sending energy to their home nation, highlighting the fact that the people are the ones who are suffering the transgression of the Tchiani-led junta.
“The government of Niger should open the border and restore light to the country since the current situation is difficult for the people of Niger. Instead than the people, the junta should be the target of the conflict. Many innocent people will perish if ECOWAS forces were sent to Niger, Tama said.
Concern about the effects of war
As they claimed that ongoing mediation and discussions would put an end to the Niger dilemma, the Nigeriens emphasised the serious consequences of war and expressed their concern of going through what happened in Somalia and Sudan.
If at all feasible, Dalekon suggested that ECOWAS give them a year or two to hand over control to a civilian administration; nonetheless, he emphasised that military action was not acceptable. I cannot allow an attack on Niger because it is still my nation.
This is often how things began in war-torn nations like Sudan, Somalia, and others. It is clear what ECOWAS is doing, but the results will be fatal. My daughter wed a soldier from Niger.
“The junta’s projected three-year term is unacceptable. The three years is not good, but the coupists should just hand over control to the democratically elected government as quickly as possible,” Tama said.
