Peace Ambassador (Sambo) condemns coup d’etat in Niger, advises ECOWAS to adopt diplomacy
Kehinde Akinpelu,Ilorin
Chairman, Committee on Human Rights And Social Justice, International Peace and Governance Council of African Continental Chapter of the United International Peace and Governance Council of Africa (UNIPGC) Africa, Barrister Muritala Sambo, has condemned the recent coup in Niger Republic by military junta led by the Presidential Guard commander, General Abdourahamane Tchiani, which toppled the democratically elected government of the President of Niger Republic, Mohamed Bazoum.
He condemned the military takeover of civilian administration and lamented that military rule and colonialism have retarded growth in Africa.
He, therefore appealed to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to resolve the political impasse in Niger Republic through diplomacy.
He said it is imperative for civilian administration to be restored in the Niger Republic.
ECOWAS had ordered for restoration of Bazoum as the President of Niger and imposed sanctions on the country.
Sambo spoke in an interview with journalists on Sunday on his confirmation as Chairman, of the Committee on Human Rights And Social Justice, IPGC, by the United Nations International Peace and Governance Council of Africa, during the international Peace & Security Summit in Morocco.
Sambo said, “I am abreast of the diplomatic moves taken by ECOWAS which Nigeria happened to be among the signatory country. You may not be right in calling such a diplomatic move a threat.
Every measure soft or hard taken by Peace Ambassadors (diplomats) which includes ECOWAS, UN, AU and others towards actualizing peace and decorum in Africa or the wilder world is referred to as diplomacy.
“I am so sure that there is no threat to peace that diplomacy of the peace ambassadors can not tame. Ambassadors of Peace have approaches to any threat to peace. Any measure put in place by Diplomats because we are professionals to rescue the people of the democratic republic of Niger from military intervention is fair enough considering the menace of Military Rule which has long been defeated but rear its ugly face in our nascent democracy in Africa.”
He added, “Diplomats are sacrificing a lot to enhance peace in the global world in general and Africa in particular. Ninety-nine per cent of factors militating against peace in Africa is traceable to military rule. Incessant destabilization of governance, undermining democratic processes, prolonging conflicts, Interference in international affairs, human rights abuses, economic deterioration, and insecurity are vices littered by military intervention in politics.”
He added, “I am a Nigerian and I will not forget in a hurry how both colonialism and military intervention spread in Africa. Coupled with this, when you see a Nigerian or any African citizen raising their voice against military intervention in Niger, it was an experience no one should fold hands and watch with no reaction. Injustice to someone somewhere is a threat to justice to everyone everywhere.”
