CPPE Cautions against Military Intervention in Niger

•Says it will negate fundamental objectives of ECOWAS

Dike Onwuamaeze

The Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise (CPPE) has warned that any resort to military option to compel the military juntas that ceased power recently in Niger to restore democratic government would negate the fundamental objective of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and have a telling economic and security implications on Nigeria.

The Chief Executive Officer of CPPE, Dr. Muda Yusuf, said yesterday in a public statement titled “Economic Implications of Military Option in Restoring Democracy in Niger,” that “one of the key mandates of ECOWAS is the promotion of economic integration. Military actions among member states would surely negate this fundamental objective. It would perpetuate fragmentation of the region and trade within the region will be severely impacted. This has grave consequences for the economies of the economies of member states and the welfare of the citizens.”

He noted that the recent border closure between Nigeria and Niger is already having an adverse impact on traders on both sides of the divide.

“The truth,” according to him, “is that sanctions are typically double-edged sword which is why it needs to be cautiously and strategically applied.”

He also highlighted that the fragile security situation in the sub region might further deteriorate in the event of a military assault on Niger.

Yusuf noted that current acts of terrorism in the region required concerted efforts by ECOWAS’ countries to tackle them, adding that Nigeria needed the cooperation of its neighbours to effectively confront terrorism in its territory.

He said: “A fragmented region cannot present an effective front to deal with the growing challenge of insecurity in the region.  The countries in the region may become more vulnerable in the event of intra-regional conflict and fragmentation.

“It is instructive that the Sahel is rapidly becoming a theatre of geopolitical competition between Russia and the West. The Sahel is currently the hotbed of global terrorism.  It is not in Nigeria’s interest to get deeply involved in the military adventures in the zone, with Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger being major theatres of their operations. This could further complicate matters for the entire sub region. Nigeria should avoid getting entangled in these geopolitical dynamics.”

Yusuf, however, endorsed ECOWAS’ decision to pressure the military junta in Niger to restore constitutional democracy in that country as a welcome development. 

He also said that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, being the current chairman of ECOWAS is saddled with enormous leadership responsibility at this crucial time in the region’s history.

But he added that “any contemplation of military intervention should take into account the wider social, economic, welfare and security implications for the countries of the sub region and their citizens. There are far reaching macroeconomic, trade and security and geopolitical ramifications which should be carefully considered.  The risk of high collateral damage is also very high.

“This is a defining moment for ECOWAS, which calls for rigorous thinking, robust consultation, sound diplomatic judgment, a deep sense of history and an exhaustive evaluation of the many ramifications. It is also critical for ECOWAS to consider the geopolitical dimensions of the unfolding developments in the sub region.”