Niger Coup: Network of journalists appeals to FG, ECOWAS against use of force

The Nigeria Network of Peace Journalists (NNPJ), Kaduna State Chapter, has appealed to President Bola Tinubu and the Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS not to deploy force in the Niger Republic.

In a statement issued by its leader, Ibrahima Yakubu, the network stressed the need for ECOWAS to sustain peace talks and dialogue with the military junta.

It said, “We stand for peace and dialogue for the unity of the entire black nation, while encouraging ECOWAS to use the medium of diplomacy to resolve the situation.

“We from various media organisations across the country have joined hands in making calls for peace talks and dialogue with the aim of resolving the situation in the region.”

The statement said the best way to go is to use diplomacy, “and when it fails, deploy sanctions that would compel the initiators of the coup to have a rethink about sustaining democracy.

“The act of diplomacy can help towards better communication and negotiation, image management, and policy implementation to address future occurrences in the Sahel region.”

It called on local and global media organisations to reduce the hype about issues relating to the Niger Republic.

“We are all brothers from the same region, and we strongly believe that peace talks and dialogue are the best approaches to resolving the current situation.

“We appeal to ECOWAS to use all available means of diplomacy towards bringing an end to the situation for peace and stability in West Africa and the continent at large,” Yakubu said.

It stressed the needfor African countries to promote and sustain democratic government for development and success in the region.