- Concerns raised about negative impact of military intervention on Niger’s citizens and neighboring Nigerian states
- Saulawa calls on President Bola Tinubu to avoid force, highlights shared interests between Nigeria and Niger
- ECOWAS advised to mediate diplomatically and ensure safety of deposed president Muhammad Bazoum
The Katsina Elders Forum has urged ECOWAS and the AU to engage in negotiations with the military leaders in Niger Republic, aiming to peacefully reinstate the nation’s democratic government. Alhaji Aliyu Saulawa, an elder statesman and the Acting Chairman of the forum, conveyed this message through their Secretary, Alhaji Ali Muhammad, in a press briefing held on Monday in Katsina.
Saulawa emphasized that such an approach would provide an opportunity for the military junta to implement a political transition plan and prevent the serious repercussions of a military coup. He also questioned the value of ECOWAS‘ intervention if it were to lead to conflict with Niger, citing the potential harm to Muhammad Bazoum, the deposed president of Niger Republic.
Saulawa expressed concerns about the adverse effects of ECOWAS’ military intervention, which would impact both the citizens of Niger and neighboring Nigerian states that share borders with Niger.
“ECOWAS should be mindful of the repercussions, the aftermath of war, it’s not something that is very simple. So, the question of applying force does not arise, in fact, it should not come in.
“We are advising, like every other responsible citizen that spoke against the use of force, we are calling on President Bola Tinubu to see reason in this situation.
“Nigeria and Niger are the same; we have a lot in common,” Saulawa stated.
Saulawa said Nigeria is not short of problems that it will even contemplate expending resources and military capability on Niger’s internal crisis when Nigerians are suffering from security and other challenges.
“Let ECOWAS try to mediate diplomatically, let them meet these military leaders and ask for Bazoum’s safety,” he admonished the regional body.
He further cautioned ECOWAS against any hope that the coupists would relinquish power immediately after successfully assuming the leadership of the country.
“Do you think a military leader who had led a successful coup will relinquish power when the consequence is death?,” he asked.
He also described the failure of President Tinubu to nominate the immediate past governor of the state, Alhaji Aminu Masari, as a minister in the forthcoming cabinet as unfair.