The General Assembly of ActionAid Nigeria has called on the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to prioritise diplomacy and dialogue in dealing with the coup d’etat in the Niger Republic, saying that military intervention will have severe consequences for neighbouring countries, especially Nigeria.
In a press statement issued yesterday read out by the former Board Chair of Action Aid, Prof Patricia Donli, following its review of the state of the nation, it was held that considering Niger’s role as a buffer between Nigeria and the Sahel Region, it was imperative to ensure peace and respect for democratic principles in the region.
While condemning the Niger Coup in strong terms, ActionAid Nigeria said: “We call upon ECOWAS to use its influence wisely to achieve this. ECOWAS should guide against the possibility of the crisis stoking superpower rivalry in the region.”
Also speaking on the ongoing economic crisis in the country, the AAN General Assembly called on the federal and state governments to prioritise the establishment of credible and sustainable social welfare programmes that extend beyond providing monthly disbursements of funds for short-term relief.
