Military Chiefs from some West African countries on Wednesday began a crucial meeting at the Defence Headquarters in Abuja over the military coup in the Republic of Niger.
The meeting is being chaired by the chairman of ECOWAS military Chiefs, Gen. Christopher Musa, Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff, CDS
Sources close to the meeting said that the military chiefs present at the meeting include Togo, Sierra Leone, Senegal, Nigeria, Ghana, Liberia, Guinea, Gambia, Cote’Divoire, Cabo Verde and Republic of Benin.
According to the source, the seats allocated to Mali, Guinea Bissau, Niger and Burkina Faso military chiefs were vacant indicating boycott of the meeting.
The meeting however observed that the recent coup d’etat in the Republic of Niger was one incident that called for collective attention and a united response.
The Nigerian Chief of Defense Staff (CDS) and incumbent President of the ECOWAS Committee of Chief of Defence Staff (CCDS), General Christopher Musa, while speaking at the opening ceremony observed that the task of restoring democratic governance in Republic of Niger “is fraught with potential hurdles and complications”
According to General Musa, “It is this principle that compels us to convene today and address the current situation in Niger. The political instability in Niger is a source of grave concern for us all. It threatens our shared vision of a peaceful, secure, and prosperous West Africa, a vision that is impossible to achieve amidst political upheavals and disruptions to constitutional order.
“Therefore, it is incumbent upon us to deliberate on this issue, the task of restoring democratic governance in Niger is fraught with potential hurdles and complications. However, we cannot afford to be hamstrung by these challenges. Instead, we must confront them head-on, drawing upon our shared experiences, wisdom, and the strength of our collective resolve”.
He added, “Our decisions will send a strong message about our commitment to democracy, our intolerance for unconstitutional changes of government, and our dedication to regional stability”.
The CDS also drew attention to the people of Niger, who are the most affected by the current situation, saying, “Our actions should be guided by their interests and wellbeing”.
He noted that “it is the responsibility of the military to ensure that voices of the citizens of Niger are not silenced, their rights not trampled upon, and their aspirations for a peaceful and democratic country are not dashed.
“I am confident that, together, we can navigate these challenging times and emerge stronger as a regional community. The strength of ECOWAS lies in our unity, our shared values, and our unwavering commitment to the principles of democracy, peace, and prosperity.
“Let us, therefore, shoulder this responsibility with determination and resolve, and let our deliberations and decisions reflect the ideals that ECOWAS was founded upon.
“I am certain that our collective wisdom and commitment will guide us towards the right path. Our meeting today is not just about the restoration of democracy in one country, but about the preservation of the principles we all hold dear across the region. We are tasked today with a mission that requires us to rise above our individual interests and think as one community.”
According to General Musa, “We must remember, we are not just Chiefs of Defense Staff, we are custodians of peace and stability in our region. As we deliberate, let us keep in mind that our decisions will echo beyond conference rooms, shaping the lives of millions of people and the future of future our countries”
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