Dr. Belley: “ECOWAS must use diplomacy to manage the Niger crisis.”
Dr. Harrison Kofi Belley, a lecturer in governance studies at the Evangelical Presbyterian University College (EPUC) in Ho, has urged the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to confront the current political situation in Niger by proactive preventative diplomacy.
He claimed that the planned military intervention by ECOWAS was likely to exacerbate the conflict in that country in an interview with the Daily Graphic in Ho yesterday.
Dr. Belley underlined the increased popular support the military junta in Niger was receiving and asserted that, rather than military involvement, neutral, long-lasting, results-oriented strategic conflict management approaches were needed to address the country’s current situation.
In order to maintain political stability, the lecturer also urged African states to improve their ability to resolve electoral disputes at the national, regional, and continental levels by passing laws and creating procedures for impartial adjudication of such disputes.
Durational extensions
Dr. Belley also demanded an end to political leaders extending their terms of office and said the Community Court of Justice of ECOWAS protocol should be changed to permit judicial intervention in all electoral situations.
“ECOWAS must muster the political will to hold member states accountable to their treaty obligations, in addition to combating corruption in public life to build confidence in state institutions and create the conditions for instability,” he continued.
The lecturer also emphasized the necessity for ECOWAS to develop and improve constitutional democratic principles and economies in order to end poverty in the population and maintain stability.
Deadline
However, the deadline set by the military coup that toppled Niger’s government has passed, leaving Niger’s neighbors and Western friends in a precarious position.
By last Sunday, the military of the nation had been ordered to disarm and allow former president Mohamed Bazoum to take office again.
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