The Alliance on Surviving Covid-19 and Beyond (ASCAB) has rejected the Economic Community of West African States’ (ECOWAS) proposed military intervention in Niger Republic.
The coalition, led by its chairperson and human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, asked ECOWAS on Wednesday to consider putting additional sanctions on the Niger coup leaders.
The coalition stressed the importance of the regional organization focusing on the causes of the coup, which has become a pattern in West Africa, and putting a stop to the heinous trend.
The statement reads:
“Since the call for the diplomatic initiative by the security chiefs reflects the wishes of the people of West Africa, the Authority of the Heads of State and Government should jettison the military option and impose more sanctions with a view to isolating the military junta in Niger.
“Until about three years ago, all the member states of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) were led by democratically elected governments. But, since some ECOWAS leaders decided to extend their tenure, there had been about nine successful and unsuccessful coups in West Africa.
“In view of the meeting of the Authority of Heads of State and Government, the highest decision-making organ of the ECOWAS scheduled to hold in Abuja on Thursday, August 10, 2023, it is pertinent to draw attention to the main causes of unconstitutional change of government and how to arrest the ugly development.”
According to ASCAB, the immediate cause of unconstitutional government change is the manipulation of constitutions and referendums by elected governments in order to extend the tenure of presidents.
The organization observed that ECOWAS attempted to limit West African presidents to two terms in office, but was met with opposition from leaders of countries planning to extend their stay.
It added:
“The new chairman of ECOWAS, President Bola Tinubu of Nigeria, should ensure that the amendment is passed forthwith while sanctions are imposed on democratically elected presidents who engage in amendment of the national constitutions to extend their tenure beyond two terms.”
