Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, a North Tongu member of parliament, has stated that in order to return Niger to democratic government, ECOWAS should refrain from declaring war on it.
He would prefer that the matter be handled diplomatically and via communication.
Mr. Ablakwa urged President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to present his stance on the Niger to Parliament for comprehensive discussion.
"President Akufo-Addo must immediately stop his mobilization of Ghanaian soldiers for an ECOWAS war in Niger," Mr. Ablakwa wrote in a tweet. He must provide his Niger Policy for review to the Parliament. War and bloodshed are not the answer; diplomacy and constructive discussion are. A new leader is needed for Africa.
On August 10, 2023, H.E. Bola Ahmed Tinubu, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Chair of the ECOWAS Authority, called a meeting of the Authority of Heads of State and Governments of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in Abuja, Nigeria.
The Extraordinary Summit was called as a follow-up to the most recent one held on July 30, 2023, in response to President Mohamed Bazoum's unlawful detention by members of the Presidential Guard in the Republic of Niger on July 26, 2023.
At the meeting, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) once again denounced the "attempted coup d'état and the continued illegal detention of President Mohamed BAZOUM, his family, and members of his government."
The body also criticized the conditions of President Bazoum's detention and held the CNSP wholly and entirely accountable for ensuring the safety, security, and bodily integrity of the president, his family, and the rest of the government.
After the meeting, ECOWAS released a statement in which they reaffirmed their support for "all measures and principles agreed upon by extraordinary summit held on Niger on July 30, 2023."
They have made the following decision: "Enforce all measures, including border closure, rigorous travel bans, and asset freezing on all persons, or groups of persons, whose acts obstruct all peaceful efforts aimed at guaranteeing the orderly and thorough restoration of the constitution;
"Warn member states of the repercussions of their actions before the Community if they, directly or indirectly, interfere with the peaceful resolution of the Niger situation; Demand that all ECOWAS resolutions regarding the situation in Niger be supported by the African Union;
"Additionally, urge on all partner nations and organizations, including the UN, to assist ECOWAS in its efforts to secure a prompt restoration of constitutional order in accordance with its normative provisions;instruct the Commission's president to keep an eye on the sanctions' application;
"Order the Committee of Chiefs of Defence Staff to activate the ECOWAS Standby Force with all of its components immediately;
"Order the deployment of ECOWAS Standby Force to restore constitutional order in the Republic of Niger; Underscore its continued commitment to the restoration of constitutional order through peaceful means."
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