Major Superiors in West Africa Back Bishops Plea against Military Intervention in Niger

 “While we condemn the coup d’état in Niger and the use of force to seize power, we are equally against the use of military force to restore constitutional rule,” RECOMSWA members said in their statement dated August 12.

West Africa’s superiors urged ECOWAS and the African Union to focus on the governance issues highlighted in their member states with the same firmness with which they are approaching the Nigerien situation so as to prevent any future coups.

They urged the international blocs to refrain from any attempt to intervene in the Nigerien coup with the view of controlling the country’s resources.

“The people of Niger and of the sub-region need peace! Sovereignty lies in the hands of the people and they must be the ultimate beneficiary of their God-given resources. Let us not add to the plight of the Nigerien people,” they said.

They added, “We stand in solidarity with the people of Niger at these difficult and delicate times. We call on all our members, and all persons of goodwill to pray for peace in Niger and in the Sub-region.”

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The July 26 announcement of the removal of President Mohammed Bazoum from power was announced by Colonel Amadou Abdramane among other nine officers who cited deteriorating security situation and bad governance.

The coup attracted the attention of ECOWAS heads of state who convened a meeting in Abuja, Nigeria on July 30 and issued a seven-day ultimatum to the coup plotters, pushing them to relinquish their new found power.

The Nigerien coup plotters defied the ultimatum deadline from West Africa’s regional bloc to reinstate President Mohamed Bazoum.

Defense chiefs of ECOWAS are reported to have drawn a plan for the possible use of force to reinstate the overthrown president, including how and when to deploy forces.

The coup plotters who slammed ECOWAS for imposing sanctions on the country vowed on Sunday, August 13 to prosecute ousted President Bazoum for what they referred to as "high treason".

A group of Nigerian Islamic scholars who met Niger’s coup leader have said the general has agreed to hold direct talks and resolve a standoff with West African leaders.

Silas Mwale Isenjia is a Kenyan journalist with a great zeal and interest for Catholic Church related communication. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Linguistics, Media and Communication from Moi University in Kenya. Silas has vast experience in the Media production industry. He currently works as a Journalist for ACI Africa.