Basamba Njol Drammeh, Gambian US-Based Civil Rights Activist has called on Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, current Chairman of ECOWAS, and Dr. Omar Touray, Chairman of ECOWAS Commission to withdraw the decision of reinstating Niger’s deposed President, Muhammed Bazoum through the use of force.
On Sunday 30th July 2023, the leadership of ECOWAS issued a communique at the end of an emergency session of Heads of State and Governments of the regional block issued an ultimatum demanding the immediate release and reinstatement of Niger’s elected President Muhammed Bazoum.
The regional block also gave out a one-week ultimatum to the coup plotters led by former Presidential Guards Commander, Abdourahmane Tchiani in Niger to hand over power to the deposed civilian President currently under arrest or risk military intervention.
However, the renowned activist expressed that the use of force to dislodge the military coup in Niger will only be marred by deadly catastrophes, loss of lives, displacement of the population, and possible civil and regional unrest with the potential of it spreading over to other West African nations.
“I’m calling on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Chairman of ECOWAS, and Dr. Omar Touray, Chairman, EcowasCommission to rescind their decisions taken in Abuja on 30th July 2023, on the use of force in Niger to reinstate ousted President Muhammed Bazoum. I’m of the view that the use of force to dislodge the military regime and to forcefully reinstate the ousted President will be catastrophic which consequences can be detrimental to the whole region,’ he stated in his reaction.
He added: “There is no doubt in mind that the use of force in Niger will be consequential to both the population in Niger as well to the entire region. This could lead to loss of lives, displacement of the population, and possible civil and regional war with the potential spreading over to other countries bordering Niger”.
The US-Based Activist reminded the leadership of ECOWAS of the use of force in Libya by France and the European Union (EU) to dislodge Col. Muhammed Khadafi from power, and the consequences were not only limited to the loss of lives and properties but equally increased terrorism and armed insurgencies within the Sahel regions.
He observed that the communique issued by the military regimes in Mali and Burkina Faso that any intervention in Niger is a declaration of war should also be a concern to the ECOWAS leadership, adding that besides this communique Niger Army has been fully trained and equipped by both US and France over the years and forcefully removing them from power could be deadly.
So, “the use of force to reinstate a deposed President is not the solution to coup d’etat in the sub-region. I believe if EcowasLeaders are serious about ending coup d’etat in the region they should establish a special commission where citizens and civil societies can petition their Heads of State, Presidents, and Ministers among other authorities who are found wanting,” Basamba Njol Drammeh added
The civil rights activist finally stressed that without a mechanism to impeach Presidents in the region, coup d’etat is bound to repeat itself.