Member of Parliament for North Tongu Constituency, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has called on Heads of State in the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to practice democracy.
According to him, ECOWAS has failed to demonstrate credibility in resolving coup d’état situations.
Mr. Ablakwa clarified that if the bloc is genuinely committed to reinstating Niger’s ousted President Mohamed Bazoum and restoring peace in the country through democratic means, then they should set an example by practicing democracy themselves.
“So you are lecturing Niger on democracy, you yourself – you are not practicing democratic credentials. You should have engaged your parliament before you go and make a final determination. That is why you see that these leaders have been left alone. This is a very unpopular decision,” he said on JoyNews’ Newsfile on Saturday.
Mr Ablakwa’s comment follows ECOWAS’ consideration of options including a military intervention to restore democracy in Niger without the consent of the respective legislative bodies of member-states including Ghana.
According to the North Tongu MP, ECOWAS also failed to engage the President of Nigeria, Bola Tinubu who doubles as the ECOWAS head before declaring the use of military force.
“Nigeria took strong exception, their senators on their own – it wasn’t even President Tinubu who went there with his plan in Niger – they as a senate decided to discuss this matter and pass a resolution and that was a slap in the face of Tinubu.
“Already, all the Northern governors have issued statements that they don’t support this deployment. How is (ECOWAS) going to do this deployment without the support of the Nigerian people,” he stressed.
However, the Ranking Member of the Foreign Affairs Committee of Parliament said that though leaders are allowed to take decisions and seek ratifications, “under Article 75, we know how the ratification must be sort. The GITMO decision is very clear, have they done that.”
Meanwhile, the North Tongu MP said Parliament opposed any form of military intervention in Niger.
He said that democracy must be at the forefront in Niger’s coup because the West African States have committed to deepening their democratic credentials.
Mr Ablakwa asserted that in as much as West African countries do not support coups and military takeovers, ECOWAS has not lived up to expectations.
He said ECOWAS always abused “democratic opportunities” when such issues rises.
“They (ECOWAS) are not empathetic to the people, they don’t use good governance tools, they don’t listen to the masses, they even use their democratically elected office to undermine institutions, compromise the judiciary, entrenched themselves, engage in what you may want to call constitutional coups and that has been the bin in the sub-region.”
He further explained that ECOWAS lacks credibility crises and expressed disbelieve in their attempt to be hardline and use force in Niger to serve as a deterrent to other countries.