Nigeria-based advocacy group for democracy, good governance and human rights, Citizens Action for Good Governance (CAGG) has called on the international community to impose targeted sanctions on individuals and entities involved in the coup d’etat that recently took place in Niger Republic.
CAGG said the step will help to demonstrate the collective commitment to protect democracy and deter any future attempts to undermine it in Africa.
It fears that the coup d’etat could worsen the security situation and humanitarian crises in neighbouring countries, including Nigeria if it is not nipped in the bud.
“This coup d’etat is an affront to the existing democracy in the country because President Mohamed Bazoum who has been held by troops from the presidential guard since early on Wednesday was duly elected and recognised by the international community, and whoever that topples his government forcefully is an enemy of the people and democracy,” CAGG’s national coordinator Nazir Galadanchi said at a press conference in Abuja at the weekend.
He argued that coup is out of fashion and remains the wrong approach for the military officers involved to express their perceived grievances.
According to the group, the recent military takeovers in four African countries – Burkina Faso, Guinea, Mali and Niger are a manifestation of misrule and bad leadership style of some African heads of government.
Head of presidential guard general Abdourahamane Tchiani led the removal of President Mohamed Bazoum over accusations of corruption, insecurity and other forms of misrule last week.”
Since the military intervention, there has been a spate of destruction, looting and lawlessness currently in the country, according to local media.
The civil society organisation stated that the coup represents a regressive step, jeopardising the rights and aspirations of the Nigerien people, adding that such actions not only violate the principles of democracy but also undermine the collective efforts of the nation to achieve prosperity and a better future for its citizens.
The organisation demanded that President Bazoum be released immediately along with his family, and called for the immediate restoration of democracy in Niger
Republic.
It urged the military and other warring parties to recognise the will of the people and engage in constructive dialogue to resolve any grievances or concerns through peaceful means, respecting democratic norms and institutions.
“The international community must stand united against any attempts to subvert democracy and the rule of law. As a beacon of hope and justice, we urge all nations, regional organizations, and stakeholders to condemn
this coup unequivocally and demand the immediate release of President Bazoum. We appeal to them to exert diplomatic pressure on the perpetrators of the coup to reverse their actions,” Galadanchi said.
The rights group commended the courage of the chairman of ECOWAS authority of heads of state and government, President Bola Tinubu, for condemning the coup d’etat with a prompt deployment of troops to secure the Nigeria-Niger Republic border to forestall any spillover of the coup into Nigeria.
“We applaud his courage, determination, and unwavering commitment to restoring democracy and bringing the coup perpetrators to justice. President Tinubu’s strong will and sense of purpose come as no surprise, as he has consistently demonstrated his stance as a pro-democracy advocate against military regimes in the past. His continuous bravery in this regard is admirable,” CAGG stated.
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