Avoid Force, Rights Violations While Restoring Peace In Niger – Group Urges ECOWAS

A civil society organisation, the African Indigenous Foundation for Energy and Sustainable Development (AIFES), has appealed to the leadership of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to avoid the use of force and violation of human rights in its effort to restore peace in Niger Republic.

AIFES in a statement issued in Port Harcourt yesterday by its executive director, Legborsi Saro-Pyagbara, said it was conscious of the possible consequences, particularly in the area of human rights violations and avoidable mass deaths of innocent civilians, especially women and children, in the event of deployment of armed forces to West African country.

The statement said though the group condemned the undemocratic seizure  of power by the military leaders in that country, it disagrees with the use of force or adoption of any approach that would lead to violation of rights of citizens and corporate organisations there.

“AIFES joins in calls by great minds of justice and conscience in the West African sub region and beyond to appeal to the leadership of the Economic Community of West African States, not to consider the option of war or application of any form of force in its efforts in restoring normalcy in Niger.

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“We also appeal to the military junta in Niger not to foot-drag on returning governance to elected officials that were undemocratically deposed.

“We believe there are legitimate means of changing any leadership that no longer enjoys the acceptability of the citizens, and constitutional process should be  followed if the people feel alienated, abused and misruled by the heads of government in that country, without engaging in acts of illegality.

“We commend the known and unsung efforts by individuals, corporate bodies and the international communities, including the Nigerian government, ECOWAS, AU and others to restore peace and legitimate leadership in Niger since the elected government was unseated.

“We welcome steps taken so far, which include, sanctions by foreign governments and institutions as well as the suspension of Niger by the African Union in their quest to make the junta let go their grip on power in the country.

“We call for total protection of citizens’ rights and provision of humanitarian aid and services to the people of Niger to avert escalated hunger, diseases and deaths of innocent citizens,” the group said.