El Rufai to ECOWAS: No need for war in Niger, Africans are brothers

Former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, is not in support of use of military force by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to restore democracy in Niger Republic.

The ECOWAS has directed its defence chiefs to activate the military on standby if necessary to force the Niger Republic military leaders to restore democracy in the country, following which the military chiefs have vaunted a position that they would not have any choice but to use force accordingly if necessary.

But El-Rufai said African nationals are brothers and war in any country in the region is injurious to all.

According to a tweet by El Rufai, “As ECOWAS beats the drums of war, I recall the 1970s rock classic by Dire Straits – ‘Brothers in Arms’, because a war within our subregion is a war between brothers. Indeed, the people of Niger Republic are one and the same with those living in Northern Nigeria.

“Let us bend therefore over backwards to avoid this civil war between brothers.”

TUESDAY THOUGHT: As ECOWAS beats the drums of war, I recall the 1970s rock classic by Dire Straits – ‘Brothers in Arms’, because a war within our subregion is a war between brothers. Indeed, the people of Niger Republic are one and the same with those living in Northern Nigeria.…

— Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai (@elrufai) August 22, 2023

ECOWAS has, however, not ruled out the option of sending troops to confront General Abdoulrahamane Tchiani-led junta after toppling the democratic government of President Mohamed Bazoum.