News Guide Africa

Tag: Heads of State of ECOWAS

  • Muslims Group in Ghana caution ECOWAS on military intervention in Niger

    COMOG
    COMOG means – Coalition of Muslim Organisations Ghana

     

     

     

    Adnan Adams Mohammed

     

    One of the most recognized and authoritative Muslims grouping in Ghana, Coalition of Muslim Organisations, Ghana (COMOG) has waded into the Niger governance crisis and ECOWAS proposed solution.

     

    The Muslims group has said it is aware that, in a follow up reaction, ECOWAS Leaders are contemplating to explore a military intervention to restore constitutional regime in the country.

     

    However, in their view as Muslims, the mode of intervention chosen by ECOWAS is a misplaced option, as it would have more catastrophic consequences in the sub-region than anticipated.

     

    The Group believes that, using religious leadership intervention to negotiate for the restoration of democracy in Niger remains the best option.

     

    “We are aware that, Nigerian Muslim Clerics are exploring that window and it will not be out of place for ECOWAS to consider same”, COMOG in press statement issued last week Friday stated.

     

    “It is our hope that, the government of Ghana will also heed to this suggestion.”

     

     

    Below is the full statement:

     

    COMOG DECRIES THE USE OF MILITARY INTERVENTION BY ECOWAS TO RESOLVE THE NIGERIEN CRISIS

     

    The Coalition of Muslim Organisations, Ghana(COMOG) has taken cognisance of the unrest in Niger as a result of a Coup d’etat. We are also aware that, in a follow up reaction, ECOWAS Leaders are contemplating to explore a military intervention to restore constitutional regime in the country.

     

    In our view as Muslims, the mode of intervention chosen by ECOWAS is a misplaced option, as it would have more catastrophic consequences in the sub-region than anticipated.

     

    We further believe that, using religious leadership intervention to negotiate for the restoration of democracy in Niger remains the best option. We are aware that, Nigerian Muslim Clerics are exploring that window and it will not be out of place for ECOWAS to consider same. It is our hope that, the government of Ghana will also heed to this suggestion.

     

    It is obvious how religion has played a role in resolving issues of conflict of national proportion in Africa. To corroborate our position, it is important to appreciate how His Royal Eminence, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, the former Emir of Kano who is also a Muslim cleric of international repute was allowed a smooth passage into Niger in a bid to persuade the junta to back down on their perceived extreme position.

     

    As Ghanaians, we are further concerned about the budget that is likely to burden the nation if troops are committed to this exercise, especially at a time when our economic indices are not in the best of shapes.

     

    Furthermore, the levels of unemployment among the youth with it’s security implocations must be of concern to the government at this material time This is because, a military intervention can easily create accessibility to sophisticated weapons by the youth in the sub-region.

     

    Finally, we wish to reiterate our view on the need for a better option in resolving the impasse in Niger other than a military intervention. Thank you.

     

    ……..Signed…….

    Hajj Abdel Manan Abdel Rahman

    COMOG President

    Contact: 0244470505

     

  • ECOWAS military chiefs meet in Ghana…amidst disagreement with AU on use of force in Niger 

     

     

    Adnan Adams Mohammed

     

    The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the African Union (AU) appeared to disagree on whether a military action should be on the table in the first place.

     

    This is coming at a time ECOWAS military heads are meeting in Accra, Ghana to deliberate on the road map for possible military intervention in Niger starting today, August 17, 2023.

     

    ECOWAS decision to release a “standby force to restore constitutional order” in Niger has met a strong opposition by many stakeholders in the West African region.

     

    The meeting of the top brass comes after fresh violence in the insurgent-hit country, with jihadists killing at least 17 soldiers from an army detachment in a “terrorist ambush” near a border with Burkina Faso, according to the Defense Ministry’s statement. More than 100 “assailants” traveling on motorbikes were “neutralized” during their retreat, the army said.

     

    But after AU’s Peace and Security Council, in a Monday meeting in Addis Ababa, reportedly rejected the ECOWAS proposal to stage a military intervention in Niger, it appears the two regional groupings are at odds over whether the crisis should be resolved by military means.

     

    A diplomat who attended the meeting told the media that many southern and northern African member countries were “fiercely against any military intervention.”

     

    Since the AU Council had not by Wednesday issued a joint statement on the bloc’s stance, the AU is “probably waiting to hear what ECOWAS’ decision is going to be” at the conclusion of the two-day meeting in Ghana, said Andrew Tchie, senior researcher at the Norwegian Institute of International Affairs.

     

    The ECOWAS meeting also comes amid reports from Nigeria’s capital, Niamey, that its residents are calling for the mass recruitment of volunteers to assist the army face possible ECOWAS Intervention.

  • Guinea, Mali and Burkina Faso support Niger coup…warn against any foreign military intervention

    Niger coup leaders

    Adnan Adams Mohammed

     

    Mali and Burkina Faso military Juntas have declared support to the coup leaders in Niamey, Niger.

     

    By this, they are tactically protecting and instituting a new era of military leaders across the Francophone subsaharan region.

     

    In a statement issued in response to resolutions of the ECOWAS Head of States emergency meeting held on Saturday, Mali affirmed that, they stand together with Burkina Faso to defend Niger and further warned that any foreign military intervention in Niamey will be considered a declaration of war on both nations with Niger.

     

    “I warn that any military intervention against Niger will be considered as a declaration of war against Burkina Faso and Mali,” Col. Abdoulaye Maiga, State Minister for Territorial Administration and Decentralisation, Mali military government juxtaposed.

     

    The announcement was in response to the outcome of a summit by regional bloc ECOWAS that gave a 7-day deadline to Niger’s coup leaders to free detained president Mohamed Barzoum and restore civilian rule or face consequences, with military force an option being considered.

     

    Mali further denounced the persistent sanctions by the ECOWAS upon the three countries terming the illegal.

     

    “The transitional governments of Burkina Faso and Mali, One: have expressed their fraternal solidarity of the people of Mali and Burkina Faso with their brothers in Niger who have decided of their own accord to take their destiny in hand and to assume their sovereignty. Two: Denounce the persistence of the regional organisations to apply sanctions that aggravate the suffering of the population and imperil the spirit of PanAfricanism. Three: Refuse to apply these illegal, illegitimate and inhumane sanctions against the Nigerien people and authorities,” said Col. Abdoulaye Maiga. The declaration came from Col. Abdoulaye Maiga, State minister for Territorial Administration and Decentralisation, Mali junta, who spoke on the state television network ORTM.

     

    The nations are run by military governments in West and Central Africa, where there have been nine successful or attempted coups since 2020.

     

     

  • Niger junta to face tough time as Nigeria cuts electricity supply

    Adnan Adams Mohammed

     

    Information just received indicates that Nigeria has cut electricity supply to Niger following coup d’etat.

     

    The power cut to Niger is one of the blows the ECOWAS bloc plans to hit at the military junta to deter them to release power to civilian administration.

    Niger junta suffer power cut from Nigeria

    The coup d’etat, which has ignited fear in many ECOWAS Heads of State as they feel threatened and uncertain of their fate and also shaken the root of France emperial colonialism on the Francophone subsaharan countries.

     

    However, many have reacted to the power cut as they feel Nigeria is making a hasty big mistake as their hydroelectricity generation dam source its water from Niger.

     

    “Nigeria has a joint agreement with Niger to provide electricity in exchange that the upstream neighbor will not obstruct the flow of water to the country’s hydroelectric Dams in Jebba, Kainji, Niger State”, a Twitter page by name Official Papa Lily commented. “Our power generation will drop, if Niger reacts to this power outage.”

     

     

    Below are some tweets:

     

    The Egalitarian

    “They don’t know because they don’t read. After the war, Niger will build a big dam and release water as it pleases downstream. Either as flood or in trickles. Niger will loose.”

     

    Chief Numso

    “If Niger Dams the Kanji Dam we are actually finished, we are actually making a mistake we will regret badly.”

     

    Yussif Nasir Ahmad

    “It is finally time for them to start thinking inwards. They should invest in their capacity to generate electricity for themselves. So that Nigeria will supply Nigerians the electricity for Nigerians to use. Already, the energy supply in Nigeria is below deficit.”

     

  • ECOWAS Heads of State meets on Niger coup…give one week ultimatum to reinstate Bazuom

    Adnan Adams Mohammed

    Heads of State of ECOWAS member countries have concluded an emergency meeting held at Abuja to discuss the Niger Coup d’etat.

    In their resolutions, the meeting attended by 12 Heads of State including representative of the ousted Niger President, Mohammed Bazuom, agreed on a land and air border closure and no a no fly zone decision be immediately implemented again the military junta.

    Also, Suspension of all commercial and financial transactions between ECOWAS Member States and Niger; Freeze of all service transaction including utility services; and Freeze of assets of the Republic of Niger in ECOWAS Central Banks were some of the tough decisions taken against the military junta.

    They were contained in a communique signed and issued at the end of the emergency meeting held yesterday.

    Below are the full resolutions:

    10 a. Affirm that His Excellency President Mohamed BAZOUM remains the legitimate elected President and Head of State of The Republic of Niger
    recognized by ECOWAS, the African Union and the International community; In this regards, only official acts of President Bazoum or his
    duly mandated officials will be recognized by ECOWAS;
    b. Condemn in the strongest terms the attempted overthrow of constitutional order in Niger and the illegal detention of His Excellency President
    Mohamed Bazoum, President and Head of State of Niger, as well as members of his family and Government;
    c. Call for the immediate release and reinstatement of President Mohamed Bazoum as President and Head of State of the Republic of Niger, and for the full restoration of constitutional order in the Republic of Niger;
    d. Reject any form of resignation that may purportedly come from His Excellency President Mohamed Bazoum;
    e. Consider the illegal detention of President Bazoum as a hostage situation and hold the authors of the attempted coup d’état solely and fully responsible for the safety and security of His Excellency President Mohamed Bazoum, as well as members of his family and Government;
    f. In the event the Authority’s demands are not met within one week, take all measures necessary to restore constitutional order in the Republic of
    Niger. Such measures may include the use of force; To this effect,the Chiefs of defense staff of ECOWAS are to meet immediately;
    g. Hold accountable all those responsible for violence and terror against lives and properties of innocent citizens and residents;
    h. Condemn the pronouncement of support by foreign governments and foreign private military contractors;
    i. Express appreciation to the various governments and partners for their stance and solidarity with ECOWAS;
    j. Appoint and dispatch a special representative of the Chair of the Authority to Niger immediately to deliver the demands of the Authority;
    k. In the meantime, the following measures are to be applied with immediate effect:
    1. Closure of land and air borders between ECOWAS countries and Niger;
    2. Institution of ECOWAS no-fly zone on all commercial flights to and from Niger;
    3. Suspension of all commercial and financial transactions between ECOWAS Member States and Niger;
    4. Freeze of all service transaction including utility services;
    5. Freeze of assets of the Republic of Niger in ECOWAS Central Banks;
    6. Freeze of assets of the Niger State and the State Enterprises and Parastatals in Commercial Banks;
    7. Suspension of Niger from all financial assistance and transactions with all financial institutions, particularly, EBID and BOAD;
    8. Travel ban and asset freeze for the military officials involved in the coup attempt. The same applies to their family members and the civilians who accept to participate in any institutions or government established by these military officials;
    9. Calls on WAEMU and all other regional bodies to implement this decision.
    l. Express appreciation to His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu, President and Head of State of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for the manner in
    which he has been conducting the affairs of the community since his election as Chair of the ECOWAS Authority.

    Done at Abuja, this 30th day of July 2023.

    FOR THE AUTHORITY