By Rebecca Ekpe
Political Science Professor, Ransford Gyampo is encouraging African leaders to concentrate on efforts that would entrench democracy rather than truncate the rule of law. He mentions good governance as an antidote to maintaining Constitutional democracy.
Contributing to the debate on the ‘Key Points’ around the crisis in Niger and suggestions following a meeting of ECOWAS Military Chiefs in Accra on whether or not to use force to restore normalcy, Professor Gyampo vehemently opposed a war in Niger.
ECOWAS has activated a “standby force” to restore order in Niger after the junta ignored a deadline to reinstate and release Mr. Bazoum.
He questioned ECOWAS’ ability to manage the situation in terms of resources.
”We don’t support coups, I don’t support coups. The antidote to coups is good governance,” the Political Science Professor stated.
In Professor Gyampo’s view, ECOWAS must deploy tactical diplomacy and common sense to manage the Niger situation, differentiating the scenario from the Yahyah Jameh example, where he said there had been some opposition locally and at various levels which forced Mr. Jameh to flee Gambia.
”If we have to fight, let those who have might go, …we do not want our people to be massacred,” Professor Gyampo reiterated.
The situation in Niger has caught the attention of many, particularly interest groups, given the Security sensitive nature of happenings there, exacerbated by Terrorist insurgencies.
The Coup in Niger is happening against the backdrop of growing terrorist activities in the Sub-Region. Reports name some of the groups as; JNIM, Islamic State West Africa (ISWA), Islamic State Greater Sahara (ISGS), Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), Al Murabitoun, Ansar Dine, Katiba Macina, and Boko Haram. And these groups are capable of carrying out attacks and kidnaps over long distances, experts posit.
ECOWAS says it still has the option of sanctions as a tool of pressure also on the table to ensure that Niger reverts to Constitutional order.
Meanwhile, Nigerians resident in Ghana have sent a clear message to ECOWAS and the Military Chiefs that they do not want any Military Intervention, instead Constitutional Democracy must prevail.
ECOWAS has declared that if all options for dialogue fail, war will be declared against the Junta and not the people of Niger.
”We are NOT going to war against the people of Niger, but the Junta,” an Official declared.
ECOWAS Meeting:
Ambassador Abdul-Fatau Musah, Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, ECOWAS Commission, disclosed this to Journalists post deliberations on Friday, August 18, 2023, in Accra.
He said they are ready to go anytime the order is given by the Authority of heads of state.
“All member states have committed elements into this deployment. We are ready to go anytime the order is given. The day has been decided.”
Another School of Thought posit that ‘Declaration of war’ however, lies solely with the United Nations Security Council.
Misinformation via social media:
Meanwhile, Aljazera is reporting that misinformation and disinformation is rife in Niger after the July 26, 2023, Coup.
Social media has been inundated with false rumours, misleading videos, and manipulated audio clips since Niger’s coup.
‘Misleading reports about foreign interference in the crisis are rising as uncertainty mounts over the possibility of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) using military force to reverse the coup.
The regional bloc, chaired by Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, was quick to condemn Bazoum’s removal and pile sanctions on Niamey days after the takeover, with Nigeria–Niger’s main electricity provider–cutting off supplies’.
