AL-HAU24news

Pam Mosses

As part of efforts to open up discussions on this ongoing political developments in Niger and other countries in West Africa, experts brought together by Equity International Initiative have called on the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to review the regime of sanctions imposed on Niger followed a military coup that removed the democratically elected President Muhammad Bazum.

The call was contain in a communique’ issues at the end of the one-day expert dialogue on International Diplomacy with the theme ‘Addressing Root Causes of Military Interventions in ECOWAS States’ held in Jos, the Plateau State Capital on Tuesday 15th August 2023.

The event had in attendance experts from the Civil Society, the Academia, Legal Practice and the Media who objectively discussed some of the sailant causes of military interventions across the West African Sub Region.

In the wake of the development, ECOWAS announced a number of sanctions aimed at the Junta, Abdourahamane Tchiani, who is the president of the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland (CNSP). ECOWAS rejected the military take-over and has called on the coup plotter to reinstate democracy by returning Muhammad Bazum.

The group identified Internal factors responsible for Military Interventions to include but not limited to:

“1. Economic inequalities and Corruption

2. Non-accountability by political office holders
3. Suppression of human rights and dictatorships in democratic governance
4. Insecurity
5. Disenchantment with the democratic process as a result of gaps in the democratic governance
   structure
6. Erosion of social justice and civil order
7. Underutilization of the youth population
8. Resource curse
9. Citizens discontentment and rising sense of being short-changed by the political leaders in West
   Africa
10. The negative effects of fake news
11. Violent activities of non-state and state actors
12. Irresponsible local media
13. Influence of local Jihadi groups
    External factors:
14. France neo-colonial policies and entanglement with Francophone West Africa
15. Double standards by the ECOWAS Commission
16. Desire by West African countries to detach from foreign control
17. The undesirable activities of international conflict merchants
18. A crafting of the ECOWAS story from outside of West Africa
19. Deteriorating socioeconomic and security situation in Sahel Africa
20. The fall of Gadaffi opens a floodgate for SALWs
21. Globalization and proliferation of social media fake news
22. Penchant for cynicism and sarcasm
23. Influence of international Jihadi groups
24. Shift in the global power system from a unipolar to multipolar system
25. Use of Africa as a battle ground for Western power struggle.”

Some of the implications of the Military intervention in Niger:
“a) Potential proliferation of insecurity across the sub region
b) Disruption of existing smooth relationships with neighboring West African countries
c) Negative socioeconomic implications for Nigeria
d) Humanitarian crisis
e) A call for effective leadership and transformative political leadership in other member states.”

Other
Recommendations besides the call on ECOWAS to reviews regime sanctions include the following:
“I.
Review of France colonial policies
II.
A review of the 1979 ECOWAS protocol and other trade agreements to leverage socioeconomic
cooperation between African States
III.
Governments of ECOWAS member states should promote accountability
IV.
A proactive fight to combat insecurity
V.
A more effective control of West African porous borders
VI.
ECOWAS should lead in the advancement of socioeconomic development of West Africa
VII.
ECOWAS Commission to instill confidence in the democratic system in West African States by
recalibration of its stance on democracy and good governance
VIII.
Ensure a robust collaboration between CSOs and the ECOWAS Commission to promote citizen
participation, accountability in governance and strengthen democratic institutions
IX.
Africans to take ownership of both the African narrative and development path.
X.
Elections should be free, fair, transparent and reflect the choices of citizens
XI.
Democracy still remains the best form of governance but it must reflect the aspirations of the
citizens
XII.
Diplomacy still remains the best path to addressing the situation in Niger, not Military action as
touted by ECOWAS
XIII.
Ensure effective job creation for the citizens

XV.
ECOWAS should promote an independent, corruption-free judiciary in member states