Niger Coup: Deployment of ECOWAS standby forces not the way to go - Africa Development Council

The Africa Development Council (ADC) has said that deployment of ECOWAS standby military forces is not the best way to go in resolving the aftermath of the Niger coup and restoring constitutional order to that country.

It has therefore recommended a more strategic and diplomatic approach to tackling the crisis in the ECOWAS member nation.

A release signed by the Council's President, Ing. Dr. Atsu Sogbey, and copied to the media said, the ADC fully supports the concerns of ECOWAS on the coup d'etat in Niger as it poses a threat to regional stability.

"However, it respectfully disagrees with the proposed deployment of ECOWAS standby troops as a means of restoring constitutional order in that country", a part of the release read.

The Council believes that such a move would have counterproductive consequences, further exacerbating the already precarious situation in Niger.

"The Coup leaders are likely to interpret the presence of the standby forces as an act of provocation, potentially escalating violence," it observed.

The release urged ECOWAS to concentrate its efforts on offering a strategic mediation role for the early restoration of democracy to Niger as the coup leaders are strongly backed by the citizenry.

"ECOWAS must, first of all, look into the conditions leading to the Coup d'etat and assure the Coup leaders of its firm resolve to ensure the reversal of the country's economic sovereignty to the people from the Colonial masters - It is of paramount importance that ECOWAS provides humanitarian aid to the affected population of Niger who might have endured significant suffering due to the current situation," it advised.

The release further emphasised the utmost need for collaboration between ECOWAS and the international community in addressing the root causes of such coups, including poverty, corruption, nepotism, and the denial of Sovereignty and Human Rights and limited opportunities to the citizenry, adding that by effectively resolving these underlying factors that largely form the basis of coup d'etats in Africa, ECOWAS can play a pivotal role in preventing future coups, not only in Niger but also in other countries on the continent.

The ADC urged all stakeholders to prioritise peace, stability, prosperity, and the well-being of the people of Niger and the entire ECOWAS region while remaining committed to advocating peaceful and diplomatic solutions to the Niger situation.