By Mu’azu Abubakar Albarkawa, Kaduna
The Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG), in its usual tradition, has watched and observed with raft attention the unfolding scenario in Niger Republic since July 26, 2023, when the country’s Commander of the Presidential Guards, General Abdourahamane Tchiani, overthrew President Mohamed Bazoum and seized power.
The CNG notes also the critical situation Nigeria is in, in the context of a complex chain of intrigues and intricacies of international politics involving the western powers, Russian eastern block, China, African community and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) head by Nigeria’s President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
CNG notes especially the continues drive towards an ECOWAS military intervention to oust the ruling military authorities currently in Niger and presumably restore democracy in the country.
We note the initial measures taken by President Tinubu as the leader of ECOWAS, which included summoning other West African leaders and issuing an ultimatum that Bazoum be reinstated or a strong regional military force will be deployed to forcefully reinstate him.
This was followed by President Tinubu sending a delegation consisting of former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar (rtd), and Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Saad Abubakar to meet the Military High Command in Niger.
And on Friday, President Tinubu wrote to the Nigerian Senate to inform it of an impending “Military build up and deployment of personnel for military intervention to enforce compliance of the military junta in Niger, should they remain recalcitrant.”
Then the Federal Government ordered the closure and monitoring of all land borders with Niger Republic and reactivating of the border drilling exercise, cutting off electricity supply and mobilising international support for the implementation of the provisions of the ECOWAS communique.
