The Archbishop of the Enugu Province, Emmanuel Chukwuma from the Anglican Communion, has strongly advised the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to reconsider any proposed military activity in the Niger Republic.
Chukwuma made his position known during a press discussion in Enugu on Sunday. Following an upheaval on 26th July that saw Nigerien President, Mohamed Bazoum, overthrown by General Abdourahamane Tichiani, ECOWAS, under the leadership of Nigeria’s President, Bola Tinubu, has demanded the return of power to President Bazoum. Tichiani, however, has resisted these calls.
Despite ECOWAS imposing sanctions on Niger and sending a delegation led by Nigeria’s former military leader Abdulsalami Abubakar, Tichiani has declined to meet with them or with the US Acting Deputy Secretary of State, Victoria Nuland. In response, ECOWAS issued an order on 10th August for the deployment of military forces to displace the defiant junta.
However, Archbishop Chukwuma, expressing his concern, stated that such military intervention could have negative repercussions for Nigeria and other West African nations. He lamented that ECOWAS did not consult with the people of Niger before threatening military action.
Chukwuma criticized ECOWAS leaders, suggesting the coup was the result of corruption and hardship in Niger, a fact that was celebrated by many Nigeriens. He called out ECOWAS for focusing on fighting the coup instead of addressing the corruption issue.
He further stated that similar or even worse situations are occurring in many ECOWAS countries, including Nigeria, with no military intervention due to internal corruption.
In his concluding remarks, Chukwuma called for a revolution in Nigeria, pointing out that Nigerians are going through difficult times and that the country is due for a major change.
SOURCE: Premium Times
IMAGE: QED NG
