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A peacebuilding think tank, Foundation for Peace Professionals also known as PeacePro has cautioned the United States Institute of Peace (USIP) over its advocacy, encouraging ECOWAS on military intervention in Niger Republic.
The group said that USIP’s advocacy for military intervention in Niger Republic betrays any known peacebuilding techniques that could foster cooperation and ensure conflict transformation.
The group in a statement signed by its Executive Director, Mr Abdulrazaq Hamzat, expressed dismay over the statement credited to USIP country manager, Chris Kwaja, urging ECOWAS to use force and bite hard in handling the situation in Niger Republic.
According to Hamzat, several foreign interests, including the United State Institute of Peace (USIP) have been nudging ECOWAS to take military action against the Niger Republic over the recent military coup, a development that could lead West African subregion into greater insecurity, human rights violation and instability.
Hamzat explained that, while it is very crucial to restore democracy in the Niger Republic, doing so by force and with the barrel of gun will have dire consequences for the region and no one with a genuine interest in peace and tranquility will encourage such a move.
“Democracy is the best form of government, but democracy instituted through force and barrel of the gun cannot produce the desired result,” Hamzat said.
Hamzat also urges USIP to stay on its peacebuilding lane, rather than delving into politics, adding that foreign interest should not supersede local interest.
“As a peacebuilding institute, USIP should not be advocating for war, or any action that could lead to war in Africa,” he advised.
