Military Action Against Niger Will Be Catastrophic – ACF Tells President Tinubu

The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has warned against the military invasion of Niger Republic following the recent coup in the country.

According to the forum, Nigeria and Niger have shared a long, historical border joining families, farmlands, markets, cultural bonds, and languages.

Naija News reports that the Secretary-General of the Forum, Murtala Aliyu, made this known in a statement on Thursday.

The forum has asked President Bola Tinubu-led ECOWAS Heads of Government to reconsider the proposed military intervention in Niger, in the wake of the coup in the landlocked west African nation.

The ACF commended the regional bodies on their stance against the military junta in Niger, but frowned at the consequences of a military action

The statement reads:  “The measures being contemplated should have taken into consideration the historical antecedents and mutual interests of the two countries and weighed the consequences of the use of force.

“While the Arewa Consultative Forum recognises the ECOWAS position to bring pressure to bear on the coupists, nevertheless the military option shouldn’t be a prerequisite for Nigeria and the ECOWAS’ continuing efforts to enthrone democracy in the region in the 21st century – certainly not an adventure to be led by Nigeria.”

Aliyu noted that Nigeria’s democratic system has inspired many countries in ECOWAS to tow the same path, adding that a military interference against Niger negates the concept of democracy.

It added: “ECOWAS is a shining example of a functional Regional Economic Cooperation (REC) on the continent which should be sustained.

“We believe the peaceful relations with our broader communities and stability of the entire region should be paramount. 

“A military intervention might yield temporary solution but the repercussions on Nigeria as a leader and the regional body would impact negatively on future relations and a herculean task to rebuild.  

“The ACF supports the position to restore democratic rule in Niger but calls on the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government under the able Chairmanship of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR to tow the path of dialogue and diplomacy and certainly not force, in resolving the current impasse in Niger in the interest of peaceful coexistence with our brotherly neighbour and stability of the ECOWAS region.”