The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), a prominent northern socio-cultural group, has called on the Federal Government to reopen the border between Nigeria and Niger Republic, which was shut after a military coup in Niger in July 2023.

The ACF said in a statement on Wednesday that the closure of the border had adversely affected the economic and social ties between the two neighboring countries, as well as the security situation in the region.

The group noted that Nigeria and Niger share a long history of cultural, religious, and linguistic affinity and that many communities along the border are divided by the artificial boundary imposed by colonialism.

The ACF also expressed concern over the humanitarian impact of the sanctions imposed by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) on Niger, which include cutting off electricity, food and medicine supplies to the country.

The sanctions were meant to pressure the military junta in Niger, led by General Abdourahamane Tchiani, to restore the democratically elected government of President Mohamed Bazoum, who was ousted in a coup on July 26, 2023.

However, the junta has refused to bow to the demands of ECOWAS, which has also threatened to use military force to intervene in Niger. The junta has proposed a three-year transition period to civilian rule, which ECOWAS has rejected.

The ACF said that while it condemns any unconstitutional change of government, it also believes in the sanctity of bilateral and multilateral agreements, especially ECOWAS, which Nigeria played a key role in establishing.

The group urged the Federal Government, led by President Bola Tinubu, to adopt a diplomatic approach to resolve the political crisis in Niger and to consider the interests of the people on both sides of the border.

The ACF also appealed to ECOWAS to lift the sanctions on Niger and to engage in dialogue with the junta, without ruling out the possibility of military action.

The group said that the reopening of the border would help to ease the suffering of the people, boost trade and commerce, and enhance the security cooperation between Nigeria and Niger, especially in the fight against terrorism and banditry in the region.

The ACF said that it hopes that the situation in Niger would be resolved peacefully and democratically and that the brotherly relations between the two countries would be restored and strengthened.

The group said that it stands in solidarity with the people of Niger, who have endured decades of political instability, poverty, and insecurity, and that it prays for peace and stability in the country.

Source: The Guardian Nigeria