ECOWAS standby force to Niger resulting from junta’s unwillingness to dialogue-Ayariga
A member of Ghana’s Parliament and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Parliament, Mahama Ayariga has justified the regional bloc’s order to its standby force to restore constitutional order in Niger.
According to Mr. Ayariga, for as much as it is important to resolve the Nigerien crisis diplomatically, it is also prudent to demonstrate the military capacity of ECOWAS because the military junta in Niger is not willing to dialogue since the coup occurred on July 27.
“We all believe that ultimately the issue should be resolved diplomatically but for diplomacy to work effectively, the military option has to remain on the table and those that ECOWAS will be engaging in Niger must understand that ECOWAS has the capacity to enforce its will and if ECOWAS does not demonstrate that capacity, the diplomatic option will not be an effective option. So I am not surprised that ECOWAS is sharpening its knife to demonstrate to the Nigerien junta that it has the capacity to enforce its will.”
“Ultimately, it is sitting and talking and dialoguing that will resolve this issue, but that will not proceed unless the Nigerien junta feels the capacity of ECOWAS,” Mr. Ayariga indicated.
The legislator added that the sub-region must decide what values to uphold in its journey to development and work toward achieving them.
“I will want to state that as a sub-region, we need to have a clear position on what values are most important to us. If the rule of law and democracy are important to us, then, we must all be ready to pay the price for making sure that we uphold these values and no price should be too dear to uphold these values,” he underscored.
Background
The Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS ordered its standby force to restore constitutional order in Niger Republic.
The President of ECOWAS, Omar Alieu Touray made the declaration while reading the resolution of ECOWAS on the Niger coup at the ECOWAS Extraordinary meeting in Abuja on Thursday.
It also called on the African Union, AU, partner countries, and institutions to support the resolution taken by the sub-regional body.
ECOWAS said all efforts made to dialogue with Niger Republic military junta have been defiantly rejected by coup leaders as they condemn the continuous detention of President Mohamed Bazoum and his family members.
The resolution partly reads, “Direct the committee of the Chief of Defence Staff to activate the ECOWAS standby force with all its elements immediately.
“Order the deployment of the ECOWAS stand-by force to restore constitutional order in the Republic of Niger.
“Underscore its continued commitment to the restoration of constitutional order through peaceful means.”