ECOWAS VS NIGER: LET'S BE HONEST IN OUR CRITICISMS

Audu Bulama Bukarti is a Prominent Nigerian analyst, social critique, public intellectual and human rights lawyer.

By Audu Bulama Bukarti

...This is not an essay in support of a military action in Niger, but a call
for us to be fair in our criticisms

The narrative suggesting that President Tinubu or Nigeria is poised or threatening a war on Niger is both misleading and disingenuous.

The driving force behind the ultimatum is ECOWAS, a conglomerate of 15 member countries, with Nigeria as just one of them. President Tinubu's statements as ECOWAS chairman don't reflect Nigeria's stance alone, but that of the entire bloc. Decisions concerning the coup in Niger weren't unilateral actions by President Tinubu or Nigeria; they were made collectively as a sub-regional entity. Although President Tinubu chairs ECOWAS, having been recently elected, he isn't an autonomous military dictator; decisions are a collective effort. The proposed military action, referred to as a war by some, isn't directed against Niger Republic itself. Rather, it targets a small faction within the Nigerien army that unlawfully violated their country's constitution to oust a duly elected president.

ECOWAS has established two defense protocols (1981 and 2005), to which Niger assented, that have been to ground military interventions in Liberia (twice), Sierra Leone, Guinea-Bissau,

Ivory Coast, Mali and Gambia. Some of those now criticizing the move in

Niger previously praised the Nigerian army's roles in Liberia and Sierra Leone, perhaps unaware that those were ECOWAS initiatives. While circumstances differ between interventions, let's not disregard the fact that this isn't ECOWAS's first instance of sending troops to a member-state.

To be clear, I'm not advocating for an ECOWAS-led war against Niger's new junta. Prudence is paramount. My point is simply that when critiquing a particular decision, policy or stance, we should maintain honesty about the facts. Ignoring history, legal context, and the overall situation only renders the debate unproductive. Both Islam and Christianity, alongside principles of

good manners, underscore the importance of honesty even in argumentation. Presenting all the facts accurately is essential for building trust and credibility as a commentator. 

When you consistently offer a well-rounded perspective that takes into account all relevant information, it demonstrates your commitment to transparency and fairness. This approach not only enhances your reputation but also enriches the quality of public discourse by providing a solid foundation for informed and respectful debates. It allows individuals to form their own opinions based on a comprehensive understanding of the issues at hand. Ultimately, the goal is to contribute to constructive discussions and foster a climate where differing viewpoints can be shared and evaluated thoughtfully.