By Onyema Okpor
Niger with population of 27.289, 213, was a former French colony that gained her independence on August 3, 1960. The francophone speaking nation is bordered in the south with Nigeria, Benin Republic, Mali and Burkina Faso. In the east with Chad. While in the northeast with Libya. And northwest with Algeria. Among those countries, Niger has the longest boundary with Nigeria. The distance is 1608 kilometers. That is about 999 miles.
Indeed, the trend of coup in Africa which Africa Union (AU), and ECOWAS abhor is threatening national, regional,peace and stability in Africa subregion. The failure of AU and particularly ECOWAS to act in Guinea, Mali and Burkina Faso has emboldened Abdourahamne Tchiani of Niger to take over power through the barrel of gun. Military coup is contagious and archaic, it should not be allowed in Africa in 21st century. Democracy which is the best form of government is under attack in Africa. Therefore, democratic order should be restored in Niger immediately.
Many Nigerians are happy with the military coup in Niger. And they are praying for the military to take over power because of bad leadership and suffering in the land. God forbids! In political parlance, worst civilian goverment is better than the best military regime. However Nigeria can’t afford to have a military regime as her neighbour because it is not only infestious, but it is also has a domino theory effect.
Nigeria as a big brother to Niger has invested immensely in terms of aid and infrastructure in Niger. During president Muhammadu Buhari regime, he borrowed a staggering sum of $1.9 billion to construct a railway that cris-cross northwest states of Nigeria to Marada in Niger. He also bought 10 Toyota Land Cruiser vehicles worth of N1, 145,000,000..00 to Niger Republic. Nigeria can’t stand akimbo and watch Niger drift into military rule.
The military juntas that have taken powers in West Africa subregion are they doing better than the respective governments they overthrown? The answer is emphatic no. And that should give us a serious concern.
As I have said earlier, Tinubu as Chairman of ECOWAS should galvanize its heads of state to mobilize every available resource in their disposal to flush out those mosquitoes in Niger.
The military power index of Niger is 2,6327 and lies in no. 119 out of 145 nations. Nigeria military power index is 0.5587 and ranks in no 36 out of 145 countries. And Mali military power index is 2,1992, ranks in no.110 out of 145 nations. While Burkina Faso military power index is 2, 6607 and ranks at no. 121 out of 145 countries.
Like Mali and Burkina Faso in the West African subregion, Niger is a landlocked nation. That means she has no access to the sea or Atlantic ocean . It has also no access to sea resources. Niger depends solely on Nigeria for her import and export of goods and services. The country also rely on Nigeria for aid and electricity. Infact, Nigeria is a lifeblood to Niger economy.
Basically there are three major options before ECOWAS to take against Niger. The first one is diplomacy (dialogue). Second is economic sanctions. And third is military action. The most effective option which will serve as a deterrence and nip military intervention in politics in the bud in Africa is military action. Thus, hard power must be used to raid those coupist mosquitoes out from power.
Some people have been using Russia as a propaganda in Niger. Russia is too occupied with the fight in Ukraine to interfere militarily in Niger. Again, Putin has received enormous support from African states particularly ECOWAS in the war between Russia and Ukraine that is supported by western powers and NATO. For now, Russia can’t afford to stale that relationship. If at all that Russia is going to intervene, she will intervene diplomatically.
Mali and Burkina Faso have stated that military attack on Niger is an ‘act war.’ If those illegitimate juntas form an alliance to defend Niger they can’t withstand the firepower of ECOMOG. I strongly believe they are just bluffling.
Democracy in West Africa subregion is under threat, ECOWAS should not allow the mistake in Guinea, Mali and Burkina Faso to repeat itself in Niger Republic.
I commend ECOWAS for the no-fly zone declared on Niger airspace and seven days ultimatum given to the juntas to restore democratic order. Once the seven days ultimatum expires without Tchiani relinquishing power, ECOMOG should go out there to smoke him and his accomplices out from power.
Finally, the only panacea to stop military intervention in politics in Africa, is for African heads of stste to embrace democratic ideals and entrench good governace. Period!
