Niger Coup: Why ECOWAS must stop beating the drums of war — El-Rufai

Former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai has called on the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to stop “beating the drums of war” in Niger, following the recent coup d’état.

El-Rufai said that ECOWAS should instead focus on dialogue and mediation to resolve the crisis.

“ECOWAS should not be seen as an organization that is quick to use force,” El-Rufai said. “We should be seen as an organization that is committed to dialogue and mediation.”

El-Rufai also warned that a military intervention in Niger could have unintended consequences.

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“A military intervention could lead to a civil war,” El-Rufai said. “It could also lead to the destabilization of the entire region.”

El-Rufai’s comments come after ECOWAS leaders met in Accra, Ghana, on Monday to discuss the situation in Niger. The leaders condemned the coup and called for the immediate restoration of constitutional order.

However, they did not rule out the possibility of a military intervention.

The coup in Niger is the latest in a series of military takeovers in West Africa. In recent years, there have been coups in Mali, Guinea, and Burkina Faso.

The coups have raised concerns about the stability of the region.