ECOWAS Not Meant For Military Intervention, Says El-Zakzaky
The Leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria, Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky, has once again faulted the plan by the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, to embark on a military intervention in coup-hit Niger Republic.
According to him, ECOWAS is not a military alliance as such is not mentioned in its treaty.
In a post on X which was shared by his office, he was quoted as saying, “@ecowas_cedeao is not a military alliance. It’s purely an economic alliance, not a military one. There is no mention of military alliance in its treaty, let alone military intervention. It’s not their job. Meanwhile, they want to use #ECOWAS as a guise to invade another country. Now, they’re making it look like it’s a war between Nigeria and Niger Republic.”
Recently, El-zakzaky said the imperialists are using ECOWAS Chairman and Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu as a puppet in their attack on Niger Republic.
Following the coup in Niger which saw the ousting of President Mohammed Bazoum by a military junta, threats of quelling the crisis has seen talks of foreign military intervention.
ECOWAS, after expiration of its ultimatum for the restoration of democracy in Niger, is planning on sending soldiers against the junta.
This has led to outcry from some Nigerians who warn against a war with Niger and cautioned President Tinubu against leading the ECOWAS he chairs into such action.
One of such outcry comes from Zakzaky who said an invasion of Niger lacks the approval of Nigerians.
A post on the official account of his office on X quoted him as saying, “I heard that some Nigeriens are saying that Nigeria will invade Niger Republic. I said, No, stop saying that! God forbid that Nigeria would invade Niger Republic.
“It is not the will of Nigerians to see Niger Republic attacked. They (Imperialists) used someone called the President to attack you, not Nigeria. We are not in support of any invasion. It is without our approval. We will never go to war with our brothers.”
