A group of former presidents and prime ministers of Niger have written to the Nigerian president and Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government expressing their position that the regional body’s sanctions are punitive, unprecedented, harsh and unsustainable.
In a statement signed by fourteen respected political leaders in the country, including a former president, several former Prime Ministers and former presidents of the National Assembly, they asked ECOWAS to explore the possibility of a diplomatic resolution of the crisis as the Nigerién people are already suffering.
They say no sub-regional, international or continental texts authorise the recourse to such harsh measures and ask request that Ecowas to lift the sanctions.
This statement is coming in the lead up to the Extraordinary session called by the organisation in Abuja on Thursday, August 10, to deliberate on the ongoing situation in the Niger Republic.
Several observers say that the statement by the political leaders indicates that there are moves among the military junta to find a resolution to the current situation in order to alleviate what appears to be growing social challenges resulting from the measures taken by ECOWAS.
he observers also say the inclusion of respected former top civilian government officials is intended to provide better context of the social implications of the country’s isolation.
lting from the measures taken by ECOWAS.The observers also say the inclusion of respected former top civilian government officials is intended to provide better context of the social implications of the country’s isolation.
