Niger impasse: AWAU Advocates Dialogue

The Association of West African Universities (AWAU) has called for the meticulous use of dialogue rather than force in the resolution of the impasse precipitated by the unconstitutional seizure of power by a military junta in the iger Republic.

The Association, in a statement signed by its Secretary-General and Vice Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Prof. Wahab Olasupo Egbewole, SAN, said that AWAU was not impressed by the position of the leadership of the Economic Community of West African Countries (ECOWAS), which said that “no option is taken off the table including the use of force as a last resort” in restoring constitutional democracy in the Niger Republic.

The statement explained that AWAU felt concerned about the issue and development emanating from the landlocked country because of the possible threat to peace and security and reduction of access to education, saying that students would suffer most should war erupt in the country.

Prof. Egbewole said, “We must appreciate the delicate implications of the use of force as it would be great if peaceful means are engaged in restoring peace to the Niger Republic”.

While doubting the promises of the military junta “to make the situation better and terminate extremism” in Niger, AWAU noted that such an attempt “may also be a recipe for more crisis and security challenges”.

It warned that arm conflict in the tense environment particularly at this point, can only aggravate the precarious situation.

The Association, which is peopled by distinguished and topmost academics from across the West African subregion, appealed to all sides of the conflict “to continue to engage in dialogue for as long as it will take because if we go to war, we will end up resolving the crisis on the dialogue table”.

The statement, therefore, appealed to the leadership of ECOWAS to thread softly in its pronouncements and actions notwithstanding the magnitude of provocations or violence-inducing situations.

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