On the morning of August 12, a group of Kano state inhabitants took to the streets to voice their opposition to the potential utilization of force by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) as a solution to the ongoing coup crisis in Niger.
This follows a recent meeting in Abuja on August 10, where ECOWAS leaders instructed the armed forces of member states to be prepared for intervention aimed at restoring democratic governance in the neighboring West African country.
The demonstrators expressed strong disapproval of this strategy, displaying various signs and passionately chanting slogans. They conveyed sentiments like:
“Nigeriens are part of our family, and Niger is our shared home. We advocate for peace, as war against Niger is unjust and orchestrated by external powers.”
In a show of unity, the protestors waved both Nigerian and Nigerien flags while singing songs that stood against warfare.
Some Nigerians have also pointed out that if any military action were to be taken against the coup leaders in Niger, it could disproportionately impact the residents of certain Northern states in Nigeria.
