Coup: The Question Is Why Is Confronting The Coupist In Niger Important To ECOWAS? – Prof Akinyemi

Bolaji Akinyemi, the former Minister of Foreign Affairs and Professor of Political Science, has said that the intervention of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in Niger Rebubic is a bid to stop more coups, as reported by Vanguard.

In response to the removal of President Mohammed Bazoum on July 26, ECOWAS imposed sanctions on the military junta in Niger. Akinyemi, while speaking on Channels TV Politics Today, he said there has to be a line following coup in other West African nations like Burkina Faso, Guinea, and Mali.

He said, “I have not come across a single commentator, including those that are criticizing ECOWAS, commends the fact that the coup took place in Niger. ECOWAS said that you have to drew a line and it’s better drawn in the coup case.”

“When President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was elected as the Chairman of ECOWAS, he outlined the boundaries of his foreign policy and he said that during his tenure, he was not going to allow coup and terrorism to take place. These were the two things he identified in Guinea Bissau.”

Professor Akinyemi also stated that with West Africa becoming a belt of coupist, Nigeria must be careful after the Niger Republic coup.

He said, “Whether in Côte d’Ivoire, Senegal, Nigeria and wherever, you would want to put a stop to more coups. Nigerians whether in the south or north have been very vocal against the military component of the policy of ECOWAS. It’s not just Nigeria, the question is why is confronting the coupist in Niger important to ECOWAS? You don’t want a domino effect.”

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