Niger: Foundation Berates USIP Over Call For Military Invasion

Foundation for Peace Professionals (PeacePro) has criticised the United States Institute of Peace (USIP) over its advocacy for the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to engage in military intervention in Niger Republic.

It said that USIP‘s advocacy for military intervention in the Niger Republic negates any known peace building techniques that could foster cooperation and ensure conflict transformation.

The foundation in a statement by its executive director, Mr Abdulrazaq Hamzat, said it read with dismay, the statement credited to USIP country manager, Chris Kwaja, urging ECOWAS to use force  in handling the situation in Niger Republic.

The group said many foreign interests, including USIP have  been urging ECOWAS to take military action against Niger Republic over the recent military coup, a development that could lead the West African subregion into greater insecurity, human rights violation and instability.

It said that, while it is very crucial to restore democracy in Niger Republic, doing so by force and with a barrel of gun will have dire consequences for the region.

„Democracy is the best form of government, but democracy instituted through force and barrel of gun cannot produce the desired result“, it added.

The group urged USIP to stay on its peacebuilding lane, rather than delving into politics, adding that foreign interest should not supersede local interest.

„As a peacebuilding institute, USIP should not be advocating for war, or any action that could lead to war in Africa,“ it said.