Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, a member of parliament for North Tongu, has urged President Akufo-Addo not to send Ghanaian troops to Niger, where ECOWAS is working to restore constitutional government.
He warned in a Facebook post that war has serious consequences and that the problem in Niger may be solved without resorting to violence and killing.
“I reiterate our demand on President Akufo-Addo to immediately stop all his preparatory mobilisation towards deploying Ghanaian soldiers for an ECOWAS military intervention in Niger. Akufo-Addo’s refusal to submit his Niger Policy to Parliament for thorough scrutiny by the people’s elected representatives is most undemocratic and awfully reckless.”
“West African leaders who purport to be lecturing Niger on democracy must be seen leading by example at home. Ghana’s gallant soldiers must be kept far away from the looming bloodbath and escalating geopolitical confrontation, which is bound to explode with far-reaching consequences for stability in an already volatile region,” Mr. Ablakwa wrote.
Mr. Ablakwa stated that it is also “undemocratic” and “reckless” for President Akufo-Addo to not submit his Niger Policy to Parliament for thorough scrutiny.
After a coup on July 6, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) agreed to put together a “standby” military force as part of operations to return Niger to constitutional governance.
However, President Bola Tinubu of Nigeria has stated that the use of force is a “last resort,” despite the government’s approval for a military intervention.
Mr. Ablawaka, on the other hand, is confident that the problem in Niger can be resolved by diplomatic means and open discussion, rather than by resorting to violence. He pointed out that African leaders, looking inward beyond the crisis in Niger, need to take measures to prevent other military takeovers.
“6 coups in 3 years can only mean that Africa appears to be making a return to the coup era of the 1960s to 1980s. Let’s shift focus from the symptoms and start addressing the real issues of bad leadership, corruption, endemic poverty, democracy that works only for a few cronies and fat cats, massive unemployment, lack of opportunity, state capture, constitutional manipulation, compromised judiciaries, discredited institutions, neo-colonial exploitation, and a disunited Africa.”
Mr. Ablakwa warned that if the leadership of the continent does not provide an honest, adequate, and introspective leadership response, Niger’s coup may not be the last.
