From Jude Dangwam, Jos 

The Country Director of Equity International Initiative (EII) Amb. Chris Iyama has called on the Economic Community Of West Africa States (ECOWAS) to review the regime of sanctions imposed on Niger Republic to promote continuous dialogue and citizens welfare.

He made this call at the end of a one a day Expert Dialogue on International Diplomacy with focus on “Addressing Root Causes of Military Intervention in ECOWAS States” held in Jos Nigeria.

The dialogue put together by the international organization in partnership with C. Y. P. A Africa and Citizens Observers Hub(COH) aimed at proffering best diplomatic ways in resolving the situation in Niger Republic.

The international engagement had participants from other West African countries who expressed concerned that the region and African content is becoming a battlefield for Western Powers struggles.

They described military interventions in African countries as an indictment on the democratic practices which must be addressed to meet the yearning and aspirations of citizens of Member countries of ECOWAS and Africa in general. 

“We hereby recommend the review of France colonial policies, review of the 1979 ECOWAS protocol and other trade agreements to leverage socioeconomic cooperation between African States.

“Governments of ECOWAS member states should promote accountability, A proactive fight to combat insecurity, and more effective control of West African porous borders.

“ECOWAS should lead in the advancement of socioeconomic development of West Africa, ECOWAS Commission should instill confidence in the democratic system in West African States by recalibrating its stance on democracy and good governance.”

Amb. Iyam said a robust collaboration between CSOs and the ECOWAS Commission to promote citizen participation, accountability in governance and strengthen democratic institutions as key for the Commission to look into.

“Africans should take ownership of both the African narrative and development path. Elections should be free, fair, transparent and reflect the choices of citizens”

They however insisted that democracy still remains the best form of governance but that it must reflect the aspirations of the citizens, “Diplomacy still remains the best path to addressing the situation in Niger, not Military action as touted by ECOWAS and ensure effective job creation for the citizens.”

They said ECOWAS should promote an independent, corruption-free judiciary in member states and further caution that the implications of a Military action in Niger Republic is in the negative. 

“The implication is that there is potential proliferation of insecurity across the sub region. Disruption of existing smooth relationships with neighboring West African countries. Negative socioeconomic implications for Nigeria, humanitarian crisis”.

The CSOs further insisted that effective leadership and transformative political leadership must be seen to be practiced in other member states. 

They attributed some of the root causes of the military intervention in Niger Republic to both international and external factors especially across the francophone speaking African countries.

 “Economic inequalities and corruption, non-accountability by political office holders, suppression of human rights and dictatorships in democratic governance, insecurity, disenchantment with the democratic process as a result of gaps in the democratic governance structure.

“Erosion of social justice and civil order, underutilization of the youth population, resource curse, citizens discontentment and rising sense of being short-changed by the political leaders in West Africa.

“The negative effects of fake news, violent activities of non-state and state actors, irresponsible local media, influence of local Jihadi groups” are some of the internal factors.

Meanwhile the external factors is alluded to “France neo-colonial policies and entanglement with Francophone West Africa, double standards by the ECOWAS Commission, desire by West African countries to detach from foreign control, the undesirable activities of international conflict merchants, and crafting of the ECOWAS story from outside of West Africa.

“Deteriorating socioeconomic and security situation in Sahel Africa, the fall of Gadaffi opens a floodgate for SALWs, globalization and proliferation of social media fake news, penchant for cynicism and sarcasm, influence of international Jihadi groups, shift in the global power system from a unipolar to multipolar system, use of Africa as a battle ground for Western power struggle” the stakeholders expressed concern.