Kano Residents Protest Against ECOWAS Plan to Intervene in Niger Coup

,,,,,The Niger coup crisis has sparked a wave of protests in Kano State, where some residents have expressed their solidarity with the people of Niger and their opposition to any military intervention by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

On Saturday, August 12, some protesters took to the streets of Kano, carrying Nigeria and Niger flags and placards with anti-war slogans. They marched along Ibrahim Taiwo Road, chanting “Nigeriens are our brothers, Nigeriens are also our family. Niger is ours, we don’t want war, war against Niger is injustice, a plot by the western forces.”

,,,,,,,Among the protesters were members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), a Shia group that has been banned by the Nigerian government for its alleged involvement in violent clashes with security forces.

The protesters said they were against the use of force to resolve the Niger coup crisis, which erupted on July 28 when a group of soldiers led by Gen Abdourahmane Tchiani overthrew President Mohamed Bazoum and suspended the constitution. The coup leaders have since formed a 21-member cabinet and promised to hold elections within a year.

ECOWAS, a regional bloc of 15 West African countries, has condemned the coup and imposed sanctions on Niger, including cutting off financial transactions, electricity supplies, and closing borders. ECOWAS has also directed its military forces to be on standby for a possible intervention to restore constitutional order in Niger.

,,,,,,,However, some Nigerians, especially those in the northern states that share cultural and historical ties with Niger, have voiced their support for the coup and their rejection of any foreign interference. They have argued that Nigeriens have the right to choose their own leaders and that ECOWAS should respect their sovereignty and self-determination.

The protesters in Kano said they were concerned about the humanitarian and security implications of a military invasion in Niger, which is already facing multiple challenges such as poverty, drought, desertification, and Islamist insurgency. They said they feared that a war would worsen the situation and cause more suffering and displacement for Nigeriens.

They also accused ECOWAS of being influenced by western powers that…..have vested interests in Niger’s uranium resources and strategic location in the Sahel region. They said ECOWAS should instead focus on dialogue and mediation to resolve the crisis peacefully.

The Kano State Police Command said it was not aware of the protest and did not give any approval for it. The Commissioner of Police, Hussaini Gumel told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that he was busy attending the passing-out ceremony of graduands of the Nigeria Police Academy in Wudil.

,,,,,,He said: “You can see we are just coming back from the Passing-Out ceremony of graduands of the Nigeria Police Academy, Wudil, where about 169 cadet officers were commissioned by President Tinubu.

“So, frankly speaking I have not given any person or group of residents…..permit to embark on demonstration because of the political happenings in our next-door neighbour, Niger Republic.

,,,,,,,“You can see Kano is a peaceful State and we will continue to provide security to enable residents to move about their businesses without threats to lives and property.”