Algeria and Egypt have openly disapproved of the decision of the Economic Community of West African States’ (ECOWAS) decision to deploy military troops to Niger to cushion the heat of the military junta in the nation.
Recall that iWitness reported that the democratically-elected government of Muhammad Bazoum was toppled by a General Abdourahmane Tchiani-led coup and had since then held the president in solitary confinement.
Several reports have it that Algeria, a nation that shares a 1,000-kilometre (600-mile) long land border with Niger, are prepared to negotiate with members of the West African States to ensure diplomacy, not force, is what they deploy to make the matter go down.
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The president of the country, Abdelmadjid Tebboune, has institutionalised a delegation to be led by the Foreign Minjster, Ahmed Attaf, who started the tour yesterday will be visiting Nigeria, Ghana and Benin Republic.
On the other hand, the Egyptian government has revealed that military intervention will only leave the nation and other neighbouring counties in ruins.
“Egypt boosts all efforts exerted to defuse tensions in a way that promotes the democratic order and the sovereignty and stability of Niger and prevents escalations that could shake regional security,” a statement released yesterday by the government read.
A lot of opposition has met ECOWAS’ decision, thereby upholding peace and diplomacy as the resort. In the past, the likes of the National Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs(NSCIA), Jama’atu Nasril Islam(JNI), Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria(CBCN), Christian Association of Nigeria(CAN) CAN, Arewa Consultative Forum(ACF) amongst others.
