The Northern Elders Forum (NEF) has asked President Bola Tinubu to remove economic sanctions imposed on Niger Republic in the wake of the coup in the neighbouring country
Convener of the forum, Ango Abdullahi, in a recent statement, said the adoption of force would not achieve the goal of restoring constitutional order in Niger Republic.
Stating that the removal of sanctions on Niger Republic would make negotiations easier, Abdullahi disclosed that NEF had chosen to observe events and reactions the country since the coup d’etat.
“Our decision to watch and refrain from open comments was informed by a number of reasons. First, we joined millions of Nigerians and Africans in rejecting in totality any attempt to overthrow the constitutional order by the Nigerien military,” he said.
“Nigerians had been encouraged by a number of visits from Nigeria to Niger Republic which suggested that the diplomatic option is open, and that Nigeria has the potential to influence developments in Niger.
“Nigeria should remove all sanctions and other measures intended to force the government and people of Niger into acquiescence.
“This will make negotiations led by Nigeria, using all assets that both countries value, easier to conduct. The use of force against Niger should be ruled out. It is unlikely to achieve the goals of restoring the constitutional order and improving the frontiers of democratic systems in West Africa. It will compound the security and humanitarian crises in the ECOWAS region.”
While commending the efforts of all leaders and persons of influence, including the Nigerian senate, who are contributing to a genuine resolution of the situation in Niger Republic, the forum appealed to Nigerians and Nigeriens to resist any method that would alter the harmonious relationship that had existed between the two countries for centuries.
