The Africa Center of Global Engagement and Diplomacy (AFRO-GLOBAL), a policy think-tank, has called on leaders of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to use diplomatic dialogue to find solution and restore democracy in Niger.

In a statement issued last Friday and signed by the Director/Lead Researcher of AFRO-GLOBAL, Professor Lord Mawuko-Yavugah, the centre reminded leaders of the bloc to be mindful of the “too many unanswered issues” that might undermine a credible ECOWAS-led intervention.

AFRO-GLOBAL said while the military takeover was unfortunate, it believed that the situation needed a diplomatic solution and not a military solution.

“Our call is based on the understanding that the military solution has never had a predictable outcome,” it added.

It added that there were reports that suggested that France and the US had over 1,500 and 1,100 troops respectively in Niger. AFRO-GLOBAL therefore, questioned what would be the role of those foreign troops in the event of an ECOWAS led intervention in Niger.

“How would their role undermine the image and independence of ECOWAS?” it asked.

The centre also made reference to reports of the coup makers seeking the assistance of the Russian mercenary group Wegner, asking if ECOWAS would be prepared for a war that might become a proxy of superpowers.

“In view of the general poor economic situation in the sub-region, who would pay for the cost of the intervention? Would it be the struggling economies of the region or a foreign power?” The statement quizzed.

AFRO-GLOBAL therefore appeal to regional leaders to be cautious of the involvement of foreign powers in the ongoing process.

“It appears to any observer that France seems more interested in the return to power of the ousted leader than the people of Niger.

Comments by French officials on the ECOWAS position and the planned military intervention only go to deepen suspicion about the neutrality of ECOWAS,” it said.

Accusing France of being a party to the current crisis, the centre urged France to restrain itself from any issues relating to efforts by ECOWAS to resolve the crisis.

“We therefore urge the French government and other powers to refrain from comments that may undermine the efforts aimed at resolving the crisis.

We appeal to ECOWAS leaders to reconsider the military option and allow dialogue and diplomacy to work,” they indicated.

Given that Algeria had so far played a constructively positive role by not appearing confrontational as ECOWAS, the centre urged leaders of the bloc to consider engaging Algeria to play a mediating role in the crisis.

It further urged ECOWAS to engage Russia, China and any other power that might likely come to the aid of the coup makers to prevent them from intervening on the side of the coup makers.

“This will enable the sanctions to be effective. The group must isolate foreign powers (particularly France) from any solution it adopts to resolve the crisis.The sanctions imposed by ECOWAS should be used to negotiate a timetable for a return to civilian rule where every achieved target results in the lifting of specific sanctions,” the statement concluded.

From Ama Tekyiwaa Ampadu Agyeman