As diplomatic tension continues to build up in Niger republic following the coup d’etat that sacked former President Mohamed Bazoum, Nigeria’s President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has been urged to exercise caution in his intervention. The Economic Community of West African States ECOWAS led by President Tinubu has been speaking tough threatening military action against the new junta.
Bazoum was removed by his personal security aides in the
country’s presidential guard — making it the sixth successful coup to be
recorded in West Africa since August 2020. Colonel Major Amadou Abdramane
announced the overthrow of Bazoum who took power on April 2, 2021. The Whistler
reported that President Tinubu who doubles as the chairperson of ECOWAS had in
his first reaction warned the junta that “the world will not tolerate any
situation that incapacitates the democratically-elected government” of Niger
Republic.
The ECOWAS leaders subsequently held an emergency meeting on
Sunday in Abuja, where they resolved to forcefully invade Niger Republic to
restore democratic order in the country. Amid the threat, the junta reportedly
announced that it was immediately suspending the export of uranium and gold to
France, with the country said to account for 24% export of uranium to the EU.
But Shehu Sani, the former Senator representing Kaduna Central Senatorial
District of Kaduna State, has warned President Tinubu not to “allow himself to
be pushed to initiate and trigger a war with a neighbouring country and later
be left stranded”.
According to him, Russia may back Niger Republic against Nigeria in the event
that a war supervenes. In a tweet, Sani gave the following thirteen reasons
Tinubu should tow the path of negotiation instead of subscribing to use of
force in resolving the problem.
1 Ecowas armed invasion of Niger Republic is simply a war between Nigeria and
Niger because of our proximity.
2 Russia and Wagner May come in support of Niger Republic
and Nigeria will have to use its own money to prosecute the operation; Nigeria
offset
