Former Governor Nasir El-Rufai has issued a stern warning to President Bola Tinubu, cautioning that if ECOWAS forces initiate a military assault on Niger, it would effectively signify a declaration of civil war against the northern region of Nigeria. El-Rufai, who had previously refrained from commenting on recent political developments in Niger and the subsequent actions by ECOWAS, conveyed his apprehension through a tweet on Tuesday.
In his tweet, El-Rufai reflected on the current situation by drawing an analogy to the 1970s rock song “Brothers in Arms” by Dire Straits. He emphasized that a conflict within the subregion would essentially pit brethren against each other. He stressed that the people of Niger Republic and those residing in Northern Nigeria share commonalities, and he urged a concerted effort to avert a fraternal civil war.
“As ECOWAS beats the drums of war, I recall the 1970s rock classic by Dire Straits – ‘Brothers in Arms’, because a war within our subregion is a war between brothers,”
“indeed, the people of Niger Republic are one and the same with those living in Northern Nigeria. Let us bend therefore over backwards to avoid this civil war between brothers.”
El-Rufai’s admonition emerges after a falling out with President Tinubu stemming from a disagreement over ministerial appointments. This development transpired in the wake of ECOWAS’s directive to its military forces to stand ready for potential action to restore constitutional order in Niger following the ousting of President Mohamed Bazoum by his presidential guards in July.
During an extraordinary summit on the socio-political situation in Niger Republic held in Abuja on August 10, ECOWAS President Omar Alieu Touray instructed the committee of defense staff to activate the ECOWAS standby force to reestablish constitutional order in Niger. ECOWAS Chair President Tinubu, highlighted the ongoing political crisis in Niger as a peril to the stability of Nigeria and neighboring West African nations.
El-Rufai is not the only one advocating for a diplomatic approach in handling the Niger coup situation. The Nigerian Guild of Editors also urged President Tinubu to prioritize diplomacy when addressing the Niger Republic coup, denouncing military intervention as an unconventional measure globally.
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the principal regional bloc in West Africa, recently disclosed that it had established an undisclosed “D-Day” for potential military intervention if diplomatic efforts falter. Such a move could exacerbate the instability in a region already grappling with conflicts and poverty.
It’s notable that many citizens of Niger are already supportive of the coup and willing to take up arms to defend their position in case of a military intervention. El-Rufai’s viewpoint aligns with the belief that resorting to military action would only breed animosity between Niger and ECOWAS.
Military intervention should indeed be a last resort. Diplomacy and peaceful negotiations should be the primary focus to resolve the crisis and maintain stability in the region. The consequences of military action, especially in a region as fragile as West Africa, could be far-reaching and detrimental.
