RECOWA Official Faults “embargos” on Niger, Decries Deteriorating Humanitarian Situation

“Bishops are telling these people to stop what they are doing and look for a better solution to end this crisis. People who are already suffering shouldn’t be put in situations that multiply their suffering,” the Nigerian Catholic Priest said, and added, “A coup d’état is never planned for, especially by the civilians. People are never warned about it.”

Meanwhile, ECOWAS has announced plans to take military action to reinstate Niger’s ousted President who is reportedly under house arrest as General Abdourahmane Tchiani and other coup leaders manage the affairs of the country.

ECOWAS announced that an army is already on standby waiting for activation to restore democracy in the West African country.

In response to the announcement by ECOWAS, civilians who are in support of the coup leaders reportedly went on the streets to protest any foreign intervention in the country.

General Tchiani has proposed a three-year power transition, warning that any attack on the country would “not be a walk in the park” for those involved. 

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In the August 17 interview with ACI Africa, Fr. Chinedu said that the political stalemate in Niger has sent fears across the member countries of RECOWA.

RECOWA comprises 154 Catholic Dioceses spread across 11 Catholic Bishops’ Conferences in 16 countries of Anglophone and Francophone Africa. The 16 countries include Benin, Burkina Faso, Niger, Ivory Coast, Gambia, Sierra Leone, Ghana, Guinee, Liberia, Mali, Nigeria, Senegal, Mauritania, Cape Verde, Guinee Bissau, and Togo.

The Secretary General of the regional Bishops’ Conference said, “The situation in Niger touches RECOWA in a very special way because Niger is in our Conference. We are really involved and concerned about what is happening there.”

He added, “Our Conference has done a bit to ensure that peace reigns in the region. Our president sent a letter to all ECOWAS heads of states asking them not to take military options in resolving the problem. We asked them to use dialogues and diplomatic ways rather than resorting to violence. He requested them to look at the terrible situation of Libya just because military action was taken to end their political stalemate.”

In his message of solidarity with Nigeriens, the Nigerian Catholic Priest said, “Let them know that we are with them. Our prayers are always with them whenever we gather. We will not abandon them.”