Group condemns coup in Niger Republic, calls for reform of protocol
By Lucy Ogalue
A group known as ECOWAS Community Citizens has condemned the recent Coup in the Niger Republic and called for reform of ECOWAS Protocol on democracy and good governance.
They made their positions known while addressing newsmen on Thursday in Abuja.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that ECOWAS Community Citizens is drawn from Civil Society Movements and Organisations, Private Sector, Political Parties, Trade and Labour Unions, Women and Youth Associations among others.
A member of the group, Dr Ken Ukoaha, the National President, National Association of Nigerian Traders (NANTS), described the coup Niger Republic as an unconstitutional and undemocratic act in the 21st century.
Ukaoha, advised the ECOWAS Commission not to place economic sanctions that could affect ordinary citizens and economic activities of the country.
While stressing the need for adequate measures against coup in West Africa, he urged the reform of ECOWAS Protocol on democracy and good governance to ensure term limit for political officials.
“Serious socio-political turbulence has punctuated the processes of lengthening mandates, thus, confirming the strong opposition of the peoples to tenure elongation.
“These crises can be pretext for the security forces to interfere on the political game, thus aggravating the risks of instability.
“The culture of periodic alienation at the Head of States promotes accountability and better management of public finances.
“The solution lies largely in the reform of the Protocol to put an end once and for all to the deleterious practices that contribute to longevity in power.”
The NANTS president then appealed to West African Community to make the core of vision 2050 a reality, and have a fully integrated community of peoples in a peaceful, prosperous region with strong institutions that respect fundamental freedom.
On his part, Prof. Jubrin Ibrahim from Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD) commended the Chairman of ECOWAS, President Bola Tinubu for his swift reaction to the coup.
Ibrahim then stressed the need for necessary sanctions of perpetrators of coup engineering in West Africa.
Also speaking, Isatou Ceesay from `Hope of Tomorrow, Gambia’ said democracy remained the best form of government, hence the need for the military to stay out of power.
Ceesay suggested that they should focus at ensuring the security of lives and property which is their primary function.
According to her, coup d’etat is no longer fashionable and modalities should be put in place by the ECOWAS Commission to prevent coup plotters from taking over government in any country.
Other members from Togo and Mali amongst others who spoke at the event called for more political will to fast track economic and political development in the West African Region.
NAN reports that soldiers from Niger’s presidential guard on Wednesday deposed President Mohamed Bazoum and closed the country’s borders.
Entrances to government ministries were also blocked by the presidential guard.
NAN reports that the soldiers announced on national TV a dissolution of the constitution, Aljazeera reported.
With this, Niger becomes the sixth country in the West Africa sub-region to experience a coup since August 2020.
Led by Col. Amadou Abdramane, the soldiers announced they had carried out a coup and closed all West African borders.
In a statement broadcast on national television, Abdramane said that “the defence and security forces … have decided to put an end to the regime you are familiar with”. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
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Edited by Collins Yakubu-Hammer/Sadiya Hamza
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