The President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr. Omar Touray, says the decision to activate the regional standby force was not a declaration of war or an act of invasion on Niger Republic.
He dismissed as ‘misrepresentation,’ reports that the Community has declared war on Niger.
Touray disclosed this while addressing a press conference on Friday in Abuja, said the military option was decided by the Authority of Heads of State and Government in order to stem the contagion of coups d’état following the three successful and three failed attempted coups in the region.
He, however, noted that the commission would continue to pursue diplomatic initiatives towards the restoration of constitutional order in the Republic of Niger without compromising the option of the deployment of the regional standby force.
He emphasised that the decision to deploy a regional force was in line with the spirit of obligations under the Community instruments to which the Republic of Niger is a signatory.
The President stated: “For the avoidance of doubt, let me state unequivocally that ECOWAS has neither declared war on the people of Niger nor is the deployment of the regional force an “act of invasion”
“The ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government has only activated a full-scale application of sanctions which includes the use of legitimate force to restore constitutional order.”
In invoking the sanctions and related actions, Touray stressed that the Heads of State and Government of the Community relied on the provisions of the 1991 ECOWAS Declaration of Political Principles; the Revised ECOWAS Treaty of 1993, the 1999 ECOWAS Protocol relating to the Mechanism for Conflict Prevention, Management, Resolution, Peacekeeping and Security as well as the 2001 Supplementary Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance.
The President clarified that the actions of the Community have been guided by a recognition of its obligation within the context of the spirit of solidarity and collective responsibility that underlines the ECOWAS integration arrangement.
He stressed that ECOWAS recognized the Republic of Niger as an important member of the family which is neither targeted for destruction nor its people be allowed to suffer in the hands of enemies within or without.
Touray added: “We are deeply concerned about the wellbeing of the people and the country as historically, military administrations have not demonstrated any capacity to better deal with complex political, social and security challenge as the security situation in countries under military government have rather deteriorated, as national territories are being lost to terrorists under their administration even though this has become the main justification for their intervention.”
He therefore urged the military junta to reconsider its action and listen to the voice of reason as the regional leaders will not condone a coup d’état, reminding them of their responsibility for the security and safety of President Bazoum, members of his family and government.
Touray said, ‘’Whatever the community is doing, we are doing it for the ordinary brothers and sisters in Niger who have no contribution to this. It is ECOWAS role to serve and work for the ordinary members of the community. Nigeriens remain our brothers and sisters and whatever is being done is being done in their interest’’.
“We remain on the side of the people of Niger. We just think it is fair for them to enjoy democracy, freedom that we are all enjoying. The people of Niger deserve to move freely within the community. So whatever ECOWAS is doing is being done in the interest of the people of Niger and the people of the ECOWAS region.”