Former Governor of Kaduna, Nasir El Rufai state has cautioned the Economic Community of Ecowas States, ECOWAS, over its plan to invade Niger Republic will military forces.
El rufai is among prominent Nigerians who have opposed the use of force to resolve the political crisis in the country.
The political impasse in the country escalated on Sunday after the military junta which took power last month said they needed three years to restore constitutional democracy.
ECOWAS has rejected the plan describing it as provocative.
The regional economic bloc has called for the reinstatement of deposed President Mohammed Bazoum, threatening the use of force to achieve its aim if diplomatic efforts failed.
Reacting on his verified X (formerly Twitter) handle, the former governor who recently lost a ministerial appointment, urged ECOWAS to ensure that war does not break out in the region.
According to him, fighting between ECOWAS and Niger is tantamount to war between brothers.
“As ECOWAS beats the drums of war, I recall the 1970s rock classic by Dire Straits – ‘Brothers in Arms’ because a war within our subregion is a war between brothers,” El rufai said.
On Sunday, Burkina Faso and Mali deployed warplanes to Niger Republic as tension with ECOWAS escalates
“Mali and Burkina Faso turned their commitments into concrete action by deploying warplanes to respond to any attack on Niger,” a Niger television station said without giving further details.
The planes were Super Tucano fighter jets, the report said.
On July 26, General Abdourahamane Tiani-led military junta sacked President Bazoum from power and dissolved his government.
The deposed leader has remained in detention since then.
Meanwhile, the African Union has suspended Niger as a member of the union.
The suspension was contained in a statement issued on Tuesday by the continental body in what has been described as its major response since the military coup on July 26.
The AU called on all of its member states and the international community to refrain from any action that could legitimize Niger’s junta, and said it strongly rejected interference from foreign powers.
