In an unexpected policy shift, Nigeria and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) have clarified that they will not hastily resort to military intervention in Niger. Ajuri Ngelale, Special Advisor to the Nigerian President on Media and Publicity, detailed the stance in remarks published by Nigeria’s Independent newspaper.
Leaders of ECOWAS countries have mutually agreed on the need to explore all options to restore constitutional law and order in Niger, Ngelale explained. “However, there’s a consensus that military intervention is not a course that ECOWAS will rush into. We will not declare war on our neighbor tomorrow; the military option is the last resort, not the next step,” he stated.
Ngelale also revealed that ECOWAS’s existing sanctions on Niger have been ineffective. Both the organization and its member Nigeria fear that these restrictions could impact Niger’s neighbors. Ngelale remarked, “Conversations are ongoing to minimize the damage that may be inflicted on Niger’s citizens. We are not in conflict with the people of Niger; this is a conflict with a group of rebels who have held the democratically elected President, Mohamed Bazoum, and his family hostage to seize power. We will ease sanctions as much as possible to mitigate their effects on the people of Niger.”
This stance marks a significant pivot in the regional politics of West Africa. Historically, ECOWAS has played an interventionist role, such as its military involvement in the Liberian and Sierra Leone civil wars during the 1990s. This new, more measured approach could indicate a broader shift in how ECOWAS deals with internal conflicts within its member states.
The situation in Niger has been fraught for years, characterized by political instability, armed rebellions, and terrorist activities. The capture of President Mohamed Bazoum exacerbates these existing conditions, raising concerns about governance and stability in the region.
As international eyes continue to monitor the evolving circumstances, the recent announcements by ECOWAS and Nigeria offer a nuanced, diplomatic pathway for the resolution of the Niger crisis, contrary to past military-driven interventions. This might signal a new era in West African politics, prioritizing diplomacy over military action, a move that could influence the geopolitical landscape of the region.
