Abuja, Nigeria – The West African Civil Society Forum (WACSOF) expresses its deepest condolences to the people of the Republic of Guinea, particularly the families who have lost their loved ones in the devastating Kaloum fuel depot explosion that occurred on Monday, 18 December 2023. We stand in solidarity with the affected families during this challenging time and offer our support and sympathies.
The incident, which led to the loss of lives and dozens of injuries, has left the entire nation in a state of shock and grief. In solidarity with the people and government of Guinea, WACSOF hereby extends its sympathies to all those affected by the sad incident.
We commend the efforts of the Government of the Republic of Guinea and all its relevant agencies for their efforts in containing the fire as well as putting in place emergency public safety measures to prevent further damage.
We additionally call on the government of the Republic of Guinea to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the immediate and remote causes of the explosion in order to ascertain the factors that contributed to this unfortunate incident and take appropriate measures to prevent any future reoccurrence of such a tragedy. The government should also ensure that strict safety measures are implemented within all industries, particularly in relation to the handling and storage of hazardous materials such as hydrocarbon fuels.
We additionally call on the regional bodies particularly the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and its member States to, as a matter of urgency, prioritize public safety by evolving a coherent set of regional standards to regulate public safety issues in West Africa.
WACSOF is ready to offer its support to the government of the Republic of Guinea in its efforts to implement strategies and protocols to prevent similar incidents in the future. We believe that the collective efforts of both the government and civil society organizations can lead to a safer and more secure environment for all citizens.
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The West African Civil Society Forum (WACSOF) is a regional platform that mobilizes civil society participation in the efforts of ECOWAS to promote regional integration and development in West Africa. WACSOF serves as a voice for civil society organizations, advocating for inclusivity, accountability, and sustainable development in the region.
Abuja — The West African Civil Society Forum (WACSOF) is keenly following the ensuing political developments in Guinea-Bissau beginning from the evening of On 30 November-1 December 2023, when violence broke out in Bissau, the capital of the country, between the Special Forces of the Presidential Guard Battalion and units of the National Guard who had released two ministers accused of corruption from detention. The clashes led to the arrest of the National Guard Commander Colonel Victor Tchongo. In reaction to this violence, President Umaro Sissoco Embaló of Guinea Bissau, described the event as an “attempted coup” and issued the Presidential Decree N 70 /2023, ordering the dissolution of the Assembleia Nacional Popular (ANP), the country’s parliament. He also deployed military officers at the headquarters of state media outlets, Televisão da Guiné-Bissau and Radio Difusão Nacional to replace their heads, who were seen as not being loyal to him. In addition, the President immediately assumed the dual portfolio of both the Minister of Defense and Interior as a way of strengthening security in the country. Based on information received by the WACSOF Secretariat, through various means including review of relevant press statements from different interest groups in the country, review of contents of current media reports and social media commentary regarding the situation as well as revelations from interaction with citizens and civil society representatives on the ground in Guinea Bissau, we hereby issue the following statements:
We wish to expresses our deep concern over the currently ensuing political situation in Guinea-Bissau, while strongly noting that this situation has generated great unease among the civil society and the citizens of West Africa in general. WACSOF, standing in the gap as a civil society interface mechanism with ECOWAS, its Member States and civil society calls for prudence, calm and restraint in this situation.
We condemn without reservation the decision of the President of the Republic OF Guinea-Bissau to dissolve parliament as that constitutes an attempt to undermine Democracy and a violation of the supreme law of Guinea-Bissau, its Constitution. Under the terms of No. 1 of article 94 of the Constitution of the Republic of Guinea Bissau, the National Assembly cannot be dissolved within 12 months after the election, in the last half of the term of office of the President of the Republic or during a state of siege or emergency. This establishes clear limits for the President of the Republic regarding the dissolution of the ANP, as a way of ensuring a minimum period for institutional and legislative stability, at any given time.
We condemn in very strong terms, the behavior of the security agents for the invasion of public media outlets, namely: Televisão da Guiné-Bissau and Radio Difusão Nacional. Such a move undermines professionalism, neutrality, objectivity and freedom of the media, thus constituting an egregious erosion of the space for civic engagement in the country.
We strongly appeal to His Excellency, President Embaló, as chief guarantor for peace and public order the Guinea-Bissau, to reconsider his position on the dissolution of the ANP. This move will serve to uphold the popular will of the people, and restore the rule of law given the successes recorded by his government in the smooth conduct of parliamentary elections in June 2023.
WACSOF urges President Umaro Sissoco Embaló, other political leaders, and relevant authorities in Guinea Bissau to prioritize dialogue, inclusiveness and the protection of democratic institutions. It is essential that all parties engage in constructive discussions to find a constitutional solution to the ongoing crisis in Guinea Bissau.
We call on the ECOWAS, the African Union, the United Nations and the international community in general, to urgently intervene in Guinea Bissau to appeal to the President of the Republic of Guinea-Bissau to reverse the consolidation of state power in his own hands as President, Defence Minister and Interior Minister all at once. We strongly note that such concentration of power in the hands of one individual is usually a precursor for impunity in the governance process, as such behaviors could undermine the values and principles of the rule of law and constitutionalism.
While unequivocally condemning any and all unconstitutional changes of government across the entire West African region, WACSOF reiterates its determination to work for the affirmation of the Rule of Law Democracy, and constitutional order in Guinea Bissau.
Chairman, ECOWAS Authority of the Heads of States and Government
Presidential Villa
Aso Rock,
Abuja- Nigeria
Your Excellency,
APPEAL FOR THE EASING OF SANCTIONS IMPOSED ON THE REPUBLIC OF NIGER
The West African Civil Society Forum (WACSOF) hereby extends its heartfelt congratulations on your election and affirmation as the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Your victory is a testament to your exceptional leadership and the trust placed in you by the Nigerian people. Furthermore, WACSOF would like to express its warmest wishes on your appointment as the Chairman of ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government. This recognition reflects your remarkable influence and dedication in promoting regional cooperation and development in West Africa.
Your Excellency, we write to you today with heightened concern over the grave effects of the range of international sanctions imposed on the Republic of Niger by ECOWAS following the coup d’état of 26th July 2023. We note that these sanctions have brought untold hardships to the teeming citizens of Niger republic. As the institutionalized umbrella of civil society organizations across the region, endorsed by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), we consider ourselves a platform for civil society organizations only, but as forum for the articulation of the voice and aspirations of the entire citizens of West Africa. It is part of our statutory mandate to contribute a quota, through constructive advocacy, towards entrenching peace, stability, and prosperity in West Africa.
The decision to address this matter stems from the request of our members in Niger and across the entire region to intervene in the matter. (We note that a similar communication has been transmitted to the ECOWAS Commission in Abuja, physically.) Following the request of our members in Niger, we convene a civil society regional roundtable discussion under the theme The Implications of International Sanctions on Development and Democratic Consolidation in the Republic of Niger, on Tuesday, 28th November 2023. The meeting was held in collaboration with 21 civil society organizations, led by the Mouvement des Jeunnes pour le Development et l’Education Citoyenne MOJEDEC of the republic of Niger. In all, the roundtable discussion enjoyed a rich participation of over 40 civil society representatives, along with experts and activists from across West Africa and beyond. Participants at the meeting passionately discussed the adverse effects that these sanctions have had on the people of Niger, as well as their implications to regional integration in West Africa.
We fully acknowledge that the imposition of sanctions is a tool often utilized to address human rights violations, democratic deficiencies, or threats to regional security, in this case the unconstitutional seizure of power by a group of the country’s military leaders and the arrest and detention of His Excellency, Mohammed Bazoum, democratically elected as President of the Republic of Niger. We understand that sanctions of this nature are meant to produce positive results in the form of agreements with the Military Junta on a roadmap for a quick handover of power to a democratically elected government. However, from our observations so far, the Junta in Niger has neither agreed to such a roadmap, while negotiations between the Junta in Niger and ECOWAS have completely broken down. In essence, therefore, the effects of these sanctions, which continue to remain in place, manifest only in the form of adverse effects on the lives and livelihoods of Nigeriens. Your Excellency, allow me at this point to recount an African proverb which goes thus: “when two elephants fight, it is the grass that suffers.”
Meanwhile, we note that the current economic and financial sanctions namely the closure of all the borders, the suspension of economic and business transactions, the freezing of the country’s assets and the option of a military action against Niger have severely impacted the livelihoods of ordinary Nigeriens, amplifying their struggles and depriving them of basic human dignity. The shortage of essential goods, limited access to financial services, and reduced trade opportunities have led to an increase in poverty and want, exacerbating the already fragile socio-economic fabric of the country and the long subsisting humanitarian challenge as a result of environmental and climate-linked challenges. As a matter of fact, given that Niger is a land-locked country, the effects of these sanctions, especially its economic component, will have consequences that directly affect intra-regional trade between Niger and several countries in the region, including Nigeria, Benin, and Togo. Such a condition of increased fragility can also create conditions for the myriad of long-running security challenges in the country to thrive thus directly contributing to instability within Niger. No doubt, these sanctions have an undermining effect on regional integration within the ECOWAS region entirely.
Your Excellency, we have reasons to believe that the continuation of sanctions against Niger in their current form, without a clear roadmap for meaningful dialogue or mutually beneficial solutions, may serve only to defeat its own purposes. We therefore wish to humbly urge, Your Excellency, in your esteemed position as the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Chairman of the ECOWAS Heads of States and Government, to use your influence and diplomatic prowess to initiate a dialogue aimed at finding a sustainable resolution to the issues affecting Niger. We humbly request that you champion the cause for the adoption of the following decisions by the Authority of Heads of State and Government:
Easing of the economic and financial sanctions imposed on the Republic of Niger immediately as an act of good faith towards bringing members of the military Junta to the negotiation table
Mandating the ECOWAS Commission to, despite the existence of diplomatic sanctions, continue to provide full technical support to Niger’s public institutions and agencies for the effective implementation of programs relevant to regional integration and development in West Africa
Continuing to explore the option of dialogue and mediation by community leaders and citizen groups (including civil society) across the region, in line with the spirit and letters of the ECOWAS Conflict Prevention Framework (ECPF) and the ECOWAS Vision 2050
Furthermore, Your Excellency, allow me to use this opportunity to state WACSOF’s commitment to the ideals of democracy, constitutionalism, and the rule of law as constituting the basis on which the stability and development of West Africa can best be guaranteed. We firmly believe that constructive dialogue is the best option for the restoration of stability and democratic order in Niger. We offer our utmost support to ECOWAS in its efforts to address the challenges faced by its Member States and stand ready to contribute meaningfully to any processes that fosters peace, stability, and shared progress within the region.
Thank you for your attention to this critical matter. We strongly hope that, with your intervention along the path that we have humbly suggested, the socio-economic conditions in Niger shall improve, the General Abdourahamane Tiani-led Military Junta will return to the negotiation table and ultimately, a clear path back to democratic order in Niger will be initiated.
Please accept the assurances of our highest esteem.
Yours sincerely,
Kop’ep Dabugat
General Secretary
West African Civil Society Forum (WACSOF)
CC :
Hon. Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nigeria, Chairman of the ECOWAS Council of Ministers
Hon. President, ECOWAS Commission
Hon. ECOWAS Commissioner Political Affairs, Peace and Security
Attachments:
Advocacy Document: Ref: 0393-2023/DE/MOJEDEC, Subject: Plaidoyer pour une sortie de crise au Niger:
PRESS STATEMENT – Breach of Security in Sierra Leone
WACSOF CONDEMNS ATTACK ON SIERRA LEONE MILITARY INSTALLATION
It is with great dismay that the WEST AFRICAN CIVIL SOCIETY FORUM (WACSOF) learnt of the Sunday morning breach of security in the Republic of Sierra Leone. Information reaching us reveals that it was an attack carried out by a group of unidentified armed individuals on the military armory within the Wilberforce barracks in the capital, Freetown. We have also learnt that the Sierra Leonean security forces were able to repel the attack and are progressively routing out the attackers.
While the situation in Sierra Leone continues to unfold, WACSOF hereby expresses its deepest concern over the incident. We also note that the incident has the potential of undermining peace and stability as well as truncating the pace of democratic consolidation in the West African country following its just concluded Presidential elections.
WACSOF strives for peace, stability, and democratic governance in the West African region and Africa as a whole. We vehemently reiterate our unwavering stand against any unconstitutional takeover of political power.
In the wake of this incident, WACSOF therefore calls for solidarity with the Government and people of Sierra Leone. Particularly, WACSOF calls upon ECOWAS, other regional organizations, and the international community to stand together against any form of aggression and support Sierra Leone in restoring peace and security within its borders.
Meanwhile, we also urge the relevant authorities of the Sierra Leone Government to thoroughly investigate this incident, unmask the identity and motivations of the perpetrators and bring them to justice.
Finally, WACSOF states its commitment and readiness to support all efforts to prevent and address any threats to peace and stability in West Africa, while calling on civil society in Sierra Leone to work closely with regional and national authorities to prevent and address the issues squarely. Together, we will stand firm in our pursuit of democracy, security, and the respect for the rule of law.
