The defence chiefs of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) have stated that the situation in the Niger Republic requires a multifaceted response that includes political and diplomatic elements as well as security measures.
This was announced on Friday in Abuja after a three-day Extraordinary Meeting of the CDS of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff and committee president, General Christopher Musa, praised ECOWAS for its stance in favour of democracy and stated that the armed forces of the member states were fully behind the organisation.
He stated that everyone on the group understood how serious the situation in Niger was and how quickly a concerted effort was required.
According to Musa, “We have also deliberated on the broader implications for democracy, peace, and stability in West Africa, and pleased to note that our discussions have yielded valuable insights and actionable recommendations.”
We’ve recognised the importance of taking a multifaceted approach, one that factors in politics, security, and diplomacy.
It’s crucial that we put our discussions into action to resolve the situation and stop it from happening again.
To paraphrase, “Democracy is what we stand for and democracy is what we will sustain.”
Musa claimed the military heads unanimously agreed that there was no other viable option to democracy and the rule of law in the region.
He pointed out that the recent coup in Niger was a flagrant attack on the values that sustain peace and prosperity in the region.
Togo, Sierra Leone, Senegal, Nigeria, Liberia, Guinea Bissau, Ghana, Gambia, Cote D’ivoire, Cape Verde, and Benin sent representatives to the summit; however, Niger, Mali, Guinea, and Burkina Faso did not.
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