- Coalition of Northern Groups calls for a peaceful resolution to Niger Coup, warns against military intervention and border closures
- The group urges dialogue, condemns flag burning, and appeals to regional leaders to intervene in negotiations
The Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG) has called for a peaceful resolution to the Niger Coup, warning against military intervention in the country.
In a statement signed by its spokesperson, Abdul-Azeez Suleiman, the CNG said that neighbouring countries’ hasty closure of borders and trade routes, cutting off electricity supply, and slapping economic sanctions were not in the best interests of peace.
The group also condemned the burning of the Nigerian national flag in Niger and urged the military junta to stop it.
The CNG also urged the Federal Government of Nigeria to reconsider its position on closing borders with Niger and seizing power supplies.
The group also warned against unnecessary escalation of the situation through uninvited international intervention and other dubious foreign interests.
The CNG said it “emphatically repudiates any form of preference for military action against Niger or any other West African or African nation by any regional or international community/institution.”
In addition, the group urged Niger’s military authorities and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to “open and allow all doors for discussions devoid of any hidden agenda or unnecessary preconditions for genuine dialogue.”
According to the group, a destabilised West African sub-region would endanger the continent’s peace and security.
Lastly, the CNG wishes to make a special appeal to political, religious, traditional and cultural leaders across the West African subregion to urgently intervene by impressing the need for a window for serious negotiations to be provided.
These leaders should identify a neutral location within Africa at which to hold such honest discussions to finally bring a bloodless enduring end to this impasse, the added.