Bishops of West Africa warn against military intervention in Niger

By Lisa Zengarini

West African leaders have resolved to order the “immediate activation” and the deployment of a regional standby force to reinstate ousted President Mohamed Bazoum in Niger.

Meeting on Thursday in Abuja, Nigeria, for a second emergency summit after the military coup of 27 July, and after the expiry of their ultimatum to the ruling military junta led by General Abdourahamane Tchiani on 6 August, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) called for a deployment “to restore constitutional order” in the country.

In a statement released at the closing of the meeting, the African leaders also emphasized their “determination to keep all options on the table for the peaceful resolution of the crisis”, while upholding all measures and principles agreed upon by the extraordinary summit held on Niger on 30th July 2023, in which they decided strong sanctions against the junta.

The lives of the peoples of West Africa are at stake

Ahead of the summit, on Wednesday, 9 August, the Bishops of the Regional Episcopal Conference of West Africa (RECOWA-CERAO) joined in urging governments in the region “to show restraint, discernment and responsibility”, warning that: “The lives of the peoples of West Africa are at stake.” 

“We affirm and insist to ECOWAS and the African Union that any military intervention in Niger at this time would complicate the situation of the people of Niger and the sub-region more than it would provide solutions,” the bishops said in a statement shared with Aci Africa agency.

“Terrorism already has a macabre toll of widows, orphans, displaced persons, the hungry, the maimed and so on. People are not expecting the regional, African and other institutions to add to this toll”, they added.

People come before geopolitical interests

The bishops also cautioned all parties involved in the crisis against placing geopolitical interests ahead of the lives of the people in West Africa.

The tragic example of the military intervention in Libya

The statement further recalled the “tragic example” of the military intervention  Libya which had “disastrous consequences for people's lives, dignity and future”.

 “We cannot remain silent in the face of such situations and must learn lessons to ensure that such events do not happen again, particularly with Niger as a potential epicentre of a similar crisis,”  West African bishops said.

Need for peaceful and lasting solutions

According to the bishops the crisis can be solved only with dialogue and cooperation

 “Every actor and institution should contribute positively to this process “, they said. The statement therefore urged regional and sub-regional institutions such as ECOWAS and the African Union “to show responsibility before history and to revisit their respective mission.” 

“At this critical and delicate time, it is essential that these organizations play an active role in the search for peaceful and lasting solutions, putting the interests of the people and respect for their dignity first,” the bishops insisted.

RECOWA’s appeal adds to those of the bishops of Nigeria end of the Episcopal Conference of Niger and Burkina Faso, who have warned that a military intervention would only lead to a bloodshed.

Military junta in Niger pressing ahead

Meanwhile, despite international pressures and economic sanctions, the coup leaders in Niger, which has a significant army trained by the United States, seem determined to establish themselves, all the more since neighbouring Mali and Burkina Faso, currently led by military who seized power with a coup, have expressed solidarity with Niger’s junta and warned that any military intervention would be seen as a declaration of war. Military-led Guinea has also said it backs Niger.

Anti-French feelings in Niger and Russian Wagner mercenaries

The junta is exploiting anti-French feelings among vast sections of the population to shore up its support base, and is moving swiftly to cut ties with France, whose soldiers have been working with the Nigerien military to fight Islamist insurgents.

Niger was seen by the United States, France and the European Union as their last major counterterrorism partner in the vast Sahel region where groups linked to al-Qaida and the so-called Islamic State have been extending their range of action.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken told the BBC that Russian mercenary group Wagner, which operates in several African countries including neighbouring Mali and the Central Africa Republic, could take advantage of  the new situation.