In a recent statement, Reno Omokri, a former presidential aide, shared his thoughts on how Nigeria can help bring back stability to the Niger Republic.
It has been recalled that some members of Niger’s presidential guards attempted a coup against President Mohamed Bazoum through an “anti-Republican demonstration.”
In response to the turmoil in the African nation, Omokri suggested that Nigeria could help restore democracy by using a combination of incentives and punishments.
Omokri specifically called on President Bola Tinubu, who also serves as the chairman of ECOWAS, to impose an embargo on Niger, prohibiting anything except medical supplies from entering or leaving the country.
Omokri also proposed that Nigeria cut off electricity to Niger. As for the carrot approach, Omokri recommended that amnesty be granted to the coup plotters if they surrendered.
Speaking via Twitter, he wrote, “Niger Republic is a landlocked country. It should be possible for ECOWAS, led by Nigeria, to restore the democratically elected President, Mohamed Bazoum, to power by placing an embargo on the country. Nothing must go in, and nothing must come out except emergency medical supplies. No food, no beverages, no weapons, no cars, no nothing. Niger also depends largely on Nigeria for electric power.
“Abuja should shut the tap on that until the democratically elected President is returned to office. In addition, the Kano-Maradi rail line construction currently going on should be suspended.
“And in addition to the sticks mentioned above, some carrots should be dangled, such as complete immunity for the coup plotters, as well as allowing the ring leaders to leave the country along with a promise to pay them a robust maintenance allowance.
“There are other ways apart from military intervention to reverse this coup. Use sanctions and diplomacy to put the squeeze on these guys the way President Obasanjo put the squeeze on the putschists that attempted to overthrow President Fradique de Menezes of São Tomé and Príncipe in 2003.”