The leadership of the Economic Community for West African States, ECOWAS has directed its standby troops to restore Niger to democratic rule.
News About Nigeria reports that the directive comes against many calls for the exploration of diplomatic means to return the country to democratic rule.
Recall that prominent Nigerians have continued to implore President Bola Tinubu-led ECOWAS to consider diplomatic measures over military intervention.
Earlier the Nigerian Senate asked the President Bola Tinubu-led union not to use military might against the Nigerien junta government.
Very recently, former Kaduna Senator Shehu Sani while kicking against military intervention warned that northern states that shared borders with Niger would feel the brunt of any military intervention against the Niger junta.
Also, prominent Islamic cleric Sheikh Gumi warned President Tinubu against the invasion of Niger stating that Nigeria will greatly feel the impact if force was adopted against Niger
However, against the warnings, Omar Alieu Touray the president of ECOWAS while reading the resolution of ECOWAS after its Thursday meeting in Abuja called on African Union and other stakeholders to support its resolution
“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,” the resolution read
“Underscore its continued commitment to the restoration of constitutional order through peaceful means,” it added.
News About Nigeria recalls that the Niger Junta had earlier turned down diplomatic efforts by ECOWAS and African Union.
However, ECOWAS has imposed multiple sanctions against the military junta.
