- Guinea refuses to participate in measures against the military juntas in Niger
- Guinea says sanctions and military intervention are deemed ineffective solutions and could lead to a human disaster with consequences beyond Niger’s borders
The Republic of Guinea has issued a warning to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), led by Nigerian president Bola Tinubu, cautioning against any planned sanctions or military intervention targeting the military juntas in the Republic of Niger.
In a statement, Guinea expressed solidarity with Niger Republic and stated that it will not participate in measures against Niger, emphasizing that sanctions and military intervention cannot be viable solutions to the current problem. Instead, such actions could lead to a human disaster with consequences potentially extending beyond the borders of Niger.
The statement further urged ECOWAS leaders to prioritize strategic socio-economic issues for the fulfillment of their aspirations, especially considering the human tragedy experienced by the young populations in Tunisia and the Mediterranean. It advised the leaders to focus on addressing the pressing challenges and aspirations of the region, rather than dwelling on the fate of the fallen Presidents.
The statement read, “Position of Guinea on Sanctioning Niger Since July 26, 2023, the people of Guinea, headed by the National Committee of the Rally for Development (CNRD), has been following with great interest the evolution of the socio-political situation in the sister Republic of Niger, which has led to the assumption of responsibility by the National Council for the Safeguarding of the Fatherland (CNSP).
“The Guinean authorities pay tribute to the brave populations of Niger for their high sense of patriotism and salute the republican spirit and maturity of the Defence and Security Forces who favoured the best interests of their nation by choosing to come together to find solutions to Niger’s problems.
“The CNRD remains convinced that the new authorities will make every effort to guarantee stability and harmony in Niger and the Sub-Region.
“The sanctions measures advocated by ECOWAS, including military intervention, are an option that cannot be a solution to the current problem but would lead to a human disaster whose consequences could go beyond the borders of Niger.
“As a result, the CNRD refrains from applying these illegitimate and inhumane sanctions against the brotherly people and the Nigerien Authorities, and urges ECOWAS to return to better feelings.
“The Republic of Guinea reaffirms with this communiqué its pan-Africanist vision by bringing its solidarity to the Nigerien population and inviting the new CNSP authorities to preserve unity and national cohesion.
“The CNRD emphasised that a military intervention against Niger would de facto lead to the dislocation of ECOWAS. Similarly, the brother peoples of Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger and Guinea aspire to more recognition and respect for their sovereignty.
“In addition, the CNRD wishes to clarify that the sanctions taken and the threats made at the summit of July 30, 2023 do not in any way commit the Republic of Guinea.
“At a time when the young populations of the ECOWAS area are experiencing a human tragedy in Tunisia and the Mediterranean, the concern of the leaders of the sub-region should be more oriented towards strategic, socio-economic issues for the achievement of their aspirations than to look at the fate of the fallen Presidents.”