Coalition faults ECOWAS on Niger crisis, seeks sanctions against Nigeria

Coalition of Civil Liberty Organisation in Niger Republic (CODDAE) has faulted the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) on fresh sanctions imposed on the landlocked nation.

It deplored the “overbearing diplomatic policies” being formulated by the sub-regional body against Niger Republic, insisting that ECOWAS should have reconsidered better options to mutually resolve the military coup in the country.

The President Bola Tinubu-led bloc, in its resolution, rolled out new restrictions against the junta, after spurning an earlier seven-day deadline to reinstate President Mohamed Bazoum or risk sanctions, including possible military action.

Leading hundreds of Nigeriens on a peaceful protest at Tribune Public Arena in Maradi, spokesperson for the coalition, Abdu Dan Neito, maintained that ECOWAS was inflicting more hardship on the citizens, rather than resolving the leadership crisis.

He queried Tinubu’s alleged interference, wondering why similar treatment had been meted to neighbouring countries where the military holds sway.

Neito advised the President to concentrate on addressing “abuse of democratic dispensation and violation of rule of law under your careful administration in Nigeria.”

While accusing the Nigerian leader of double standards in his intervention in Niger, the spokesperson canvassed appropriate diplomatic sanctions by United Nations and European Union against Nigeria for alleged electoral malfeasance.

The marchers sought support of the 19 northern states as brothers bound in economic, social and cultural unison that dates back to the pre-independence era to rescue Niger.

They made specific cordial relationships between Niger and Kano in the area of commerce, trade and marital affairs, appealing to the state government to address the prevailing anguish in the landlocked West African country.