Community of West African States to avoid the use of force and violation of human rights in its effort to restore peace in Niger Republic.
AIFES in a statement issued in Port Harcourt yesterday by its executive director, Legborsi Saro-Pyagbara, said it was conscious of the possible consequences, particularly in the area of human rights violations and avoidable mass deaths of innocent civilians, especially women and children, in the event of deployment of armed forces to West African country.
The statement said though the group condemned the undemocratic seizure of power by the military leaders in that country, it disagrees with the use of force or adoption of any approach that would lead to violation of rights of citizens and corporate organisations there. “AIFES joins in calls by great minds of justice and conscience in the West African sub region and beyond to appeal to the leadership of the Economic Community of West African States, not to consider the option of war or application of any form of force in its efforts in restoring normalcy in Niger.
“We also appeal to the military junta in Niger not to foot-drag on returning governance to elected officials that were undemocratically deposed.