By Seyi Babalola
Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, the spokesman for the Northern Elders Forum, has warned the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, against resorting to military action against the Niger Republic.
Baba-Ahmed encouraged ECOWAS to engage in dialogue with the Niger junta rather than resorting to threats.
Military action, he said, would destabilize the area.
Tweeting, Baba-Ahmed wrote: “This is a good time for ECOWAS to take a step back and assess the Niger Republic situation without threats and bravado.
“There is still room for some negotiations, but ECOWAS must drive the process. Nigeria in particular must use its clout to calm nerves and lead responsibly.
“Who is going to guarantee a ‘well executed military intervention’? Nigerians are against any military action.
“This will further destabilize the region. ECOWAS without Nigeria is a few countries who will not set foot in Niger. Negotiations are the best.”
