Imminent Military Conflict In Niger: Who Is Behind The Move
By Daily Tab24
Category: News
Published: Aug, 5, 2023
Time: 11:16 a.m
Africa is still suffering from the ripples of the war in Sudan, unconcerned by the hardship African children face in the face of war, ECOWAS is today preparing for bloodshed. Negotiation remains the key tool to addressing the coup in Niger, but ECOWAS have different option – a threat of military action.
“The crisis in the Republic of Niger requires diplomatic engagements, and that must mean that the channels for dialogue should be well sustained” Atiku, the presidential candidate of Peoples Democratic Party, Nigeria’s former ruling political party said.
Atiku’s advice clearly stood against a military action championed by the President of Nigeria, Bola Tinubu, who is the chairman of ECOWAS. The dot ends on his table, to call for military action or embrace dialogue. Atiku’s personally signed press statement should be seen as a bipartisan action to save African children.
Tinubu will be held responsible for the actions of the regional bloc, and history will judge him squarely should a military action against the people of Niger dawn. Speaking about his plans in Niger, the ECOWAS chairman stated “we don’t want to hold brief for anybody. Our concern is democracy and the peace of the region”
Niger is currently enjoying civil peace, even though a military junta is controlling the affairs of the country. The people of Niger have given profound support to the Junta, making the junta the apple of the eyes of the people. ECOWAS chairman may have hidden his true intention, should his decision of rolling out tanks be for peace.
A delegation from Nigeria, led by Abdusalami was tasked with meeting the Niger junta and finding a peaceful end to an impossible demand. ECOWAS had demanded the reinstatement of ousted President Basoum, a demand the junta is not ready to heed or give a second thought.
“We have just been given our marching orders to go to Niger and convey the feelings of our heads of States in the region that they are not happy with what happened” Abdusalami, who heads the delegation said after the first meeting in Abuja.
There was no flexible or tactical approach to the coup in Niger by ECOWAS except a bullish order for power to be handed back to deposed democratic leader of Niger. Speaking about what their mission in Niger would be “gave them an ultimatum that the coupists should desist from what they are doing and give back power to the elected President”
Abdusalami delegation would go to Niger and came back without meeting the coup leader. He explained afterwards that they were met at the airport, where they delivered their message and flew back to Nigeria. The mission of the delegation yielded nothing, as the junta declined to meet the delegation.
The delegation and efforts being made for military intervention in Niger appears to be resting on Nigeria, but there is no sign member states would oppose military intervention yet. Algeria made clear their opposition to military intervention. Efforts are being made by Tinubu’s loyalists in Nigeria to garner the support of neighboring countries of Niger.
“of course, this kind of situation requires solidarity. It requires coordination with all parties that are relevant to the situation. In that regard, Libya and Algeria are also very important neighbors of Niger. So, my mission is to go there with a message from President Tinubu to brief them of the ECOWAS position and solicit solidarity and corporation” Kingibe said.
Tinubu appears to be largely bothered by the coup in Niger and determined to intervene militarily to force the hands of the junta. The coup leader has the support of Mali and Burkina Faso, and the support has emboldened him to hold on to power.
The coup leader promised to meet any military action from ECOWAS with proportional force. It is not clear if ECOWAS led by Tinubu would change approach. To make the junta to reinstate the elected President will take more than threats, sanctions and electricity disconnection.
Will Tinubu dare a military action? It’s a question only time can answer, but for the meantime, nobody can explain what Tinubu’s interest in Niger is all about. The deadline will pass and in the coming weeks and months, it would be clearer who is behind the promise of war.
