ACF appeals for border reopening between Nigeria and Niger
The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has appealed to the Federal Government and members of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to consider reopening the Nigeria-Nigeria border to enhance economic activities between the two countries.
Professor Tukur Muhammad Baba, National Public Relations Secretary of the ACF, lamented in a statement that the continued closure of the border has affected many small businesses between the two countries, including food supplies, medicines, petrol and electricity.
According to the statement, “Since July 2023, Nigeria and other ECOWAS member states have maintained an economic sanctions regime with the threat of military intervention to put pressure on Niger’s military regime to overthrow the erstwhile civilian government of Mohamed Bazoum. This is a response to the June 2023 military coup in Niger. ”
After repeatedly doubling down on its threats, ECOWAS said it recently announced its intention to conditionally dialogue with Nigeria's military junta without removing the threat of military action.
The ACF therefore condemned any change of government by unconstitutional means, wherever it occurred. ACF also believes in the sanctity of bilateral and multilateral agreements, especially ECOWAS, the important organization that Nigeria was instrumental in establishing.
The statement said that communities in Nigeria and Niger enjoy historically close socio-cultural, economic and political ties that pre-dated European colonialism, adding that “arbitrary and artificial boundaries between ethnic groups should be avoided”. denounced the imposition of a 'line'.
Source: dailypost.ng