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We are Not at War with Niger, Nigeriens- ECOWAS
We are Not at War with Niger, Nigeriens- ECOWAS
By: Michael Mike
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has said the plan military action in Niger is not a war on the country or its people but to give them back the good they deserved.
Speaking at a press conference on Friday, the President of the ECOWAS Commission, Omar Alieu Touray said that the regional bloc has not taken and would never take any action against the interest of Niger.
He said: “We would like to use the opportunity to reassure the good people of Niger Republic that our major concern is for their welfare as we work assiduously to restore civilian rule and political stability in the country, and indeed in the other ECOWAS Member States currently under military rule, in the spirit of solidarity and collective security which is at the heart of our integration agenda.”
Touray lamented that: “Coup d’etat is a tragedy for our regional efforts at consolidating democracy after the political crises of the 90’s exemplified by the civil wars in Liberia and Sierra Leone. Through collective efforts of our community, the region was stabilized and the foundation for democracy and the rule of law restored.
“Indeed, until about three years ago, all leaders in the ECOWAS region were democratically elected. Unfortunately, the ill winds of coups started blowing again recently and the region has experienced three successful coups and two failed coups. The current development in the Republic of Niger adds to the list of attempted coups d’état in the region. So, you can understand why the Heads of State and Government have decided that this is one coup too many and resolved that it was time to end the contagion. The situation in the Republic of Niger is particularly unfortunate as it comes at a time the country is doing comparatively well in terms of security and economic growth.”
Justifying the decision on the planned deployment of the standby force, Touray said: “The ECOWAS security architecture, which has informed other security arrangements within and outside the region, is anchored on a number of instruments. These include the 1991 ECOWAS Declaration of Political Principles; the Revised ECOWAS Treaty of 1993, the 1999 ECOWAS Protocol relating to the Mechanism for Conflict Prevention, Management, Resolution, Peacekeeping and Security as well as the 2001 Supplementary Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance.
“The deployment of the ECOWAS Standby force is provided for in the 1999 Mechanism. Specifically, Article 25 expressly stipulates the conditions for the deployment of such a force. Among other conditions, the article provides that the force can be deployed ‘in the event of… an overthrow or an attempted overthrow of a democratically elected government.’ Furthermore, the Supplementary Act of 2012 also provides for sanctions to be invoked against members that fail to honour their obligations to ECOWAS. It also provides for the use of legitimate force in the restoration of constitutional order. Niger Republic is a signatory to all these instruments. Those who challenge the legality of the decision of ECOWAS Heads of State need to do more research.”
He explained that: “In taking its decision of 30th July and 10th August 2023, the Authority of Heads of State and government was only activating these provisions. Unfortunately, this decision has been taken out of context and repeatedly misrepresented in the media as a declaration of war against Niger Republic or a planned invasion of the country. It is even tragic that some influential persons in the Community have promoted this narrative which has been hyped in the social media as the gospel truth. These persons have conveniently ignored the strenuous efforts of the community to engage with the junta to reverse the attempted coup.”
He added that: “For the avoidance of doubt, let me state unequivocally that ECOWAS has neither declared war on the people of Niger nor is there a plan, as it is being purported, to ‘invade’ the country. The ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government has only activated a full-scale application of sanctions which includes the use of legitimate force to restore constitutional order.”
He said: “In the interim, the region is employing other elements of its instruments and engaging with the military authorities as can be attested to by the several missions that have been fielded to the country and our joint efforts with our partners, including the African Union and the UN. We are hopeful that these diplomatic efforts will yield the desired outcome and make it unnecessary for the deployment of the force.”
Touray while stating that there is no specified date for the use of force to return democratic governance back to Niger, said the military option is still on the table.
He said: “Nonetheless, preparations continue towards making the force ready for deployment. Consequently, the technical arms of the decision-making organs, which include the Committee of Chiefs of Defence Staff have also been directed to prepare the community enforcement mechanism in case it becomes compelling to deploy the force.”
He however said: “We believe that even now it is not too late for the military to reconsider its action and listen to the voice of reason as the regional leaders will not condone a coup d’état. ECOWAS also wishes to remind them of their responsibility for the security and safety of President Bazoum, members of his family and government.
“At this juncture let me reiterate that the real issue is the determination of the community to halt the spiral of coups d’etat in the region. We are all brothers irrespective of the artificial borders but the rule of law has to be upheld.
“The uncontitutional action of the military has plunged the people of Niger into serious socio-economic crises. In other words, Nigeriens are suffering today because a section of the military, which should be focused on its constitutional role, decided to hijack the political institutions and subvert democracy.
“The truth is, neither Niger nor the West African sub region needs such a major distraction at this time and we would all like to see the defence and security forces of Niger Republic immediately return to their constitutional role, a role in which they have performed creditably as exemplified in their fight against terrorism and sterling performance in the Multinational Joint Tasks Force in the Lake Chad Basin Area, and in many areas within the Liptako-Gourma region.
“The decision of the Heads of State and Government to activate the clause providing for the application of legitimate force in Niger was reached only after due consideration of how political dialogue alone has unfortunately failed to deter coup plotters in the region. The precedents in Mali, Guinea and Burkina Faso are unsettling and underline the reason why the Community was obliged to take such a hard but legitimate stance, backed by the ‘ECOWAS Community law which I must stress again was subscribed to by all the Member States, including Niger Republic.
“The actions of the Community have been guided by a recognition of the Community’s obligation within the context of the spirit of solidarity and collective responsibility that underlines the ECOWAS integration arrangement. We recognize Republic of Niger as an important member of the ECOWAS family, and it remains so to date. It is not a target for destruction by ECOWAS, and ECOWAS will never allow the people of Niger to suffer in the hands of enemies within or without.
We are deeply concerned about the wellbeing of the people and the country. Historically, military administrations have not demonstrated any capacity to better deal with complex political, social and security challenges. The security situation in countries under military government have rather deteriorated, as national territories are being lost to terrorists under their administration even though this has become the main justification for their intervention.
“In most cases, the rights and freedom of the citizens are also inevitably curtailed, with arbitrary arrests, detentions, and use of excessive force becoming the order of the day. The social cohesion in these countries is weakening by the day and it will take years to restore. We do not want this in Niger Republic.
He however lamented that “fifth columnists have unfortunately been misrepresenting our decisions and actions, deriding regional authorities as being tele-guided by foreign powers with nefarious intentions. Let me remind everyone that ECOWAS is a community of rules and regulations, norms, and values.
“These principles, which have been accumulated over the 48 years of its existence, and they underpin its actions. It is undeniable that these admirable principles have made the region an exemplar among Regional Economic Communities within and outside Africa, and many look up to it for inspiration. We are therefore not under the dictate of any extra-regional power or interests. Our interest is rather the protection of the rights of our people with the objective of building a rules-based community and fostering peace and prosperity for all in our region.”
He added that: “So, while we are determined to bend over backwards to accommodate diplomatic efforts, we are not unaware of the true intentions of some of the members of the Niger junta. At first, they snubbed our diplomatic efforts but recently began to show signs of being amenable, only for them to take a dangerous path by putting in place a government, and an unacceptable transition timeline.
He said that “the decision of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, which is currently chaired by HE Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is to work for the peaceful restoration of civilian rule in Niger Republic without any delay and to use all the instruments at the disposal of ECOWAS towards the attainment of this goal.
“As for the other countries in transition, namely Mali, Burkina Faso and Guinea, ECOWAS will continue to support their transition processes, as directed by
the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government. We will continue to support their fight against terrorism to ensure the restoration of democracy, peace, and security in our community. We will also continue to work with them on their agreed transition timetables.”
He said: “Regarding the mercenaries, let me say this, ECOWAS and the African continent as a whole stand against the use of private military contractors and again, we have continental instruments as against the use of private military contractors on the continent.”
We are Not at War with Niger, Nigeriens- ECOWAS
News
Gombe Breaks Barriers, As Governor Inuwa Signs Disability Protection Bill into Law
Gombe Breaks Barriers, As Governor Inuwa Signs Disability Protection Bill into Law
…Appoints PWDs Leader, Dr. Adamu as Disability Commission Executive Secretary
By: Ismaila Uba
Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, CON, has signed into law, the Gombe State Disability Protection Bill 2024, which paves the way for the establishment of the Gombe State Disability Commission.
The landmark law establishes a framework for the empowerment and inclusion of persons with disabilities, ensuring social justice, protecting the rights and well-being of persons with disabilities (PWDs) in the state, as well as ensuring accessibility, and participation in the society like every other human being.
During the signing ceremony of the bill which held at the Government House, Governor Inuwa Yahaya, announced the appointment of Dr. Ishiyaku Adamu, Chairman of the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities, Gombe state chapter, as the Executive Secretary of the Disability Commission.
“The establishment of the Disability Commission will serve as a platform to address the needs and aspirations of our brothers and sisters living with disabilities”, the Governor said.
He remarked that since coming onboard, he has been supporting the growth of the PWDs community, saying he previously appointed Special Adviser and Special Assistants to coordinate the activities of the PWDs and serve as liaison between them and the government.
The Governor used the occasion to inform the Disability community of his recent directives for the renovation and remodeling of the only Special School in the state, adding that his administration will build two additional Special Schools so each senatorial district can have one.
He commended members of the Gombe State House of Assembly for their commiment in passing the bill and acknowledged the contributions of advocacy groups and stakeholders who championed the cause.
Speaking at the event, the Speaker of the Gombe State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Abubakar Mohammed Luggerewo, noted that the House had meticulously scrutinized every aspect of the bill to ensure its passage aligned with the aspirations of the Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) community.
Responding on behalf of the disability community, the newly appointed Executive Secretary of the Gombe State Disability Commission, Dr. Ishiyaku Adamu, expressed gratitude to the governor for fulfilling a promise he made to the PWDs during the electioneering campaign in 2019.
“Today, you’ve set a record. I remember when we met with you during the electioneering campaign you made a promise that this bill would become a reality. And here it is today, we have witnessed this historic moment of signing it into law”, he stated.
“This commission will among others, promote education, healthcare and the well-being of persons with disabilities. Fifteen years ago, we took the same bill to the State House of Assembly, and it was rejected. Today, it has been passed and assented to. We will never forget this history. We thank the Governor, the State House of Assembly and other relevant stakeholders for making this possible”, Dr. Adamu added.
He informed the Governor that by signing the bill into law, Gombe has become the second state in the Northeast geo-political region to achieve this, assuring that he would work to ensure World Bank and other development partners support the commission in its activities.
The new Executive Secretary of the Disability Commission,
Dr. Adamu is a Senior Lecturer at the Department of Political Science, Gombe State University.
Gombe Breaks Barriers, As Governor Inuwa Signs Disability Protection Bill into Law
News
BORNO STATE GOVERNMENT BOOSTS EDUCATIONAL SERVICES WITH VEHICLE SUPPORT TO SCHOLARSHIP AND LIBRARY BOARDS
BORNO STATE GOVERNMENT BOOSTS EDUCATIONAL SERVICES WITH VEHICLE SUPPORT TO SCHOLARSHIP AND LIBRARY BOARDS
By: Our Reporter
In a move to enhance the operations of educational institutions, the Borno State Ministry of Education has provided two Golf cars each to the Borno State Scholarship Board and the Library Board, along with a Hilux van for the Executive Secretary of the Scholarship Board.
This initiative aims to facilitate the boards’ daily activities and ensure efficient service delivery to students and other beneficiaries.
The Scholarship and Library Boards play vital roles in supporting the education sector, and the provision of these vehicles addresses logistical challenges, enhancing their capacity to deliver services effectively.
Commissioner for Education, Engr. Lawan Abba Wakilbe, highlighted the government’s commitment to improving education and empowering administrative bodies to operate at optimal levels. He explained that the procurement of the vehicles reflects the government’s dedication to strengthening educational services across the state.
Wakilbe further stressed the importance of equipping these institutions with the necessary tools to meet the increasing demands of students and the academic community.
The Executive Secretary of the Scholarship Board, Bala Isa, and the Director of the Library Board, Isa Adamu, expressed their gratitude, acknowledging the positive impact the vehicles will have on their operations and the smoother coordination of activities.
This initiative underscores the government’s ongoing efforts to improve educational infrastructure by addressing logistical barriers and ensuring that every student in Borno State has the opportunity to succeed.
BORNO STATE GOVERNMENT BOOSTS EDUCATIONAL SERVICES WITH VEHICLE SUPPORT TO SCHOLARSHIP AND LIBRARY BOARDS
News
Chairman Potiskum LG commended on providing a water point to herders
Chairman Potiskum LG commended on providing a water point to herders
By: Yahaya Wakili
The executive chairman of the Potiskum local government area of Yobe state, Hon. Salisu Muktari, has been commended for providing herders of the Potiskum local government area with a water point.
The commendation was made by the National President of the Kulen Allah Cattle Rearers Association of Nigeria (KACRAN), Hon. Khalil Mohammed Bello, when he and his entourage paid him a courtesy call in his office, in continuation of the association’s community-to-community peace sensitization campaign in the state.
In addition to his previous excellent performances with regards to providing his pastoralists with water points. The executive chairman also promised to provide more water points for Potiskum local government herders in the 2025 fiscal year.
The national president called on the pastoralists in the Potiskum local government area and its environs to continue to live in peace with one another by avoiding the destruction of anybody’s farmlands.
According to Khalil Bello, the sensitization is part of the proactive measures taken by the association to prevent herder and farmer conflicts in the state and the nation in general.
The national president reinstated the need for harders not to destroy farmlands during the ongoing harvesting period and noted that pastoralists and farmers are partners in progress.
Khalil Mohammed Bello acknowledges the government’s commitment under the able leadership of His Excellency, the Executive Governor Hon. Mai Mala Buni CON, towards ending the premium crises between farmers and cattle rearers in the state.
He appreciates the warm reception and the hospitality accorded to him and members of his entourage by the executive chairman of the council, Hon. Salisu Muktari, and the people of the Potiskum local government area.
Speaking earlier, the Executive Chairman of Potiskum local government area, Hon. Salisu Muktari, assured the readiness of the local government council towards supporting the association to achieve its desired objectives.
The chairman pledged to construct more water points for pastoralists in the area and call on the leadership of the Kulen Allah Cattle Rearers Association of Nigeria (KACRAN) to identify the point where the water facilities will be constructed.
Chairman Potiskum LG commended on providing a water point to herders
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