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The Northern Elders Forum (NEF) is urging President Bola Tinubu to consider lifting the economic sanctions currently imposed on neighboring Niger Republic.
The democratically elected President, Mohamed Bazoum, was ousted on July 26th, resulting in the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) under the leadership of Tinubu imposing sanctions, which included cutting off electricity and closing borders.
During an extraordinary ECOWAS meeting on Thursday, it was decided to deploy standby military forces to reinstate constitutional order in Niger Republic.
Ango Abdullahi, the convener of NEF, expressed concerns about the use of force to restore constitutional order, suggesting that this approach might not yield positive results.
He emphasized that lifting the sanctions could pave the way for negotiations and urged for a diplomatic resolution.
Abdullahi expressed, “Nigeria should consider lifting all sanctions and measures aimed at coercing the government and people of Niger into compliance. This approach would facilitate negotiations led by Nigeria, leveraging the assets valued by both nations, thereby enhancing the feasibility of successful discussions. The use of military force against Niger should be unequivocally excluded.”
The convener of NEF also extended an earnest plea to Tinubu and the citizens of Nigeria and Niger Republic to uphold their longstanding and cherished relationship.
Abdullahi emphasized, “We implore President Tinubu to acknowledge this pivotal juncture in history and comport himself in a manner that solidifies his legacy as a defining statesman. We call upon the citizens of Nigeria and Niger, along with our leaders, to firmly reject any endeavors aimed at tarnishing our centuries-old bond.”
