The Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference has expressed its disagreement with ECOWAS for considering a military swoop in Niger following its recent coup and seizure of their president, Mohammed Bazoum.
The Conference reasoned that a military intervention by Ecowas would ultimately worsen the already unstable situation in Niger.
“It is the position of the Conference that the idea of military intervention for the restoration of constitutional regime in Niger should not even be contemplated. We should note that already, Mali and Burkina Faso have dispatched warplanes to Niger in response to a potential military intervention by ECOWAS”, the Conference noted in a statement on Thursday, 24th August, 2023.
“In line with the teachings of our Lord Jesus Christ, we as a Conference are opposed to any military intervention against the coup makers in Nger as this will exacerbate the already precarious situation in that country where civilians such as women, children, the aged, weak, and vulnerable in society are bearing the brunt of the chaotic situation,” the statement affirmed.
The Conference charged ECOWAS to adopt diplomacy and have further engagements with the coup makers and mediators, as “this approach will enable all parties to speedily design long lasting solutions to the situation in Niger”.
In much the same manner, the statement urged Ghanaian authorities to abstain from the use of force in the situation in Niger while advising African leaders to create a system of governance that is inclusive, human-centered, and creates opportunities for all.
