President Bola Tinubu has called on West African leaders to take swift action in addressing the ongoing political crisis in Niger.
In his welcome address at the Second Extraordinary ECOWAS Summit on the Socio-Political Situation in the Republic of Niger on Thursday in Abuja, he stressed the urgency of the situation, emphasizing the collective commitment to finding a lasting solution.
President Tinubu highlighted the importance of diplomatic negotiations and solidarity among nations in resolving the crisis.
He underlined the need for dialogue and cooperation to restore constitutional governance.
The Nigerian President warned that the political crisis in Niger posed a significant threat to regional stability.
He expressed concern over the potential repercussions for the West African region if the crisis continued unresolved.
President Tinubu acknowledged previous efforts to condemn the military takeover and unjust detention of Niger’s democratically elected President.
He noted that despite sanctions and diplomatic initiatives, the desired outcome had not been achieved.
He said: “we gather with a profound sense of urgency and firm determination, building upon the commitments made during our first Extraordinary Summit, on the grave political crisis befalling our sister nation.
“During that initial meeting, we voiced our solidarity with the people of Niger and their democratically elected President, H.E Mohamed Bazoum, by condemning the military take over and the unjust detention of their democratically elected President.
As you may recall, we called on the junta to rescind its decision of toppling a legitimate government.
“We proceeded to impose sanctions with the hope that this resolute measure would serve as a catalyst for the restoration of the constitutional order in Niger.
“Regrettably, the seven-day ultimatum we issued during the first Summit has not yielded the desired outcome.
“We have also made diligent efforts through the deployment of various ECOWAS mediation teams, to engage the military junta for a peaceful resolution of the political situation.
“One of the facilitators, former Head of State of Nigeria, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, would update us on the outcome of his mission to Niamey.
President Tinubu shared insights from the meeting of the ECOWAS Chiefs of Defense Staff and the Memorandum by the President of the ECOWAS Commission.
He said these insights would inform the collective decision-making process during the Summit.
President Tinubu expressed confidence that the Summit marked a defining moment in West Africa’s journey toward integration and resilience.
He emphasized the importance of making a lasting impact on the lives of Africans and fostering peace and prosperity.
He said: “It is essential to evaluate the effectiveness of our interventions and identify any gaps or challenges that may have hindered progress.
“Only through this comprehensive assessment can we collectively chart a sustainable path towards lasting peace, stability, and prosperity in Niger. Moreso, in reaffirming our relentless commitment to democracy, human rights, and the well-being of the people of Niger, it is crucial that we prioritize diplomatic negotiations and dialogue as the bedrock of our approach.
“We must engage all parties involved, including the coup leaders, in earnest discussions to convince them to relinquish power and reinstate President Bazoum.
“It is our duty to exhaust all avenues of engagement to ensure a swift return to constitutional governance in Niger.
“More specifically, as leaders of our respective nations, we must recognize that the political crisis in Niger not only poses a threat to the stability of the nation but also has far-reaching implications for the entire West African region.
“By remaining steadfast in our adherence to the principles of democracy, good governance, and the rule of law, we can restore peace, stability, and prosperity in the Republic of Niger, thereby fostering an environment conducive to growth and development for all.
He reaffirmed the commitment to restoring peace and stability in Niger and called for a prosperous future for the entire region.
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