The Socialist Movement of Ghana (SMG) is alarmed by the announcement by Nigerien intelligence that
the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is desperately preparing to launch an
invasion of the Republic of Niger.
In an announcement on state television, Col. Major Amadou Abdramane, a spokesperson of the military
government of Niger alleged that ECOWAS has already finalised an invasion plan and that two unnamed countries in the sub-region have started what he called the pre-deployment of their troops.
The SMG sees this development as a flagrant disregard for the views and interests of the broad masses
of the people of the sub-region, who have spoken out against the reckless declaration of the leaders of
ECOWAS to wage war on Niger. Over the last week, political parties and movements, trade unions,
students and youth organisations as well as faith based and women’s organisations have all spoken out
against the decision of ECOWAS leaders to wage war on Niger.
In our statement of August 2, 2023, we said clearly that an “ECOWAS intervention will not advance the
long-term well-being of other West Africans. Niger’s story differs only by the degree from that of the
rest of the subregion. Every suffering war will bring to Niger will be replicated and amplified
throughout the sub-region with unforetold consequences”.
The SMG stands by its statement of August 2, 2023 and calls on all organised groups in the sub-region
to resist the move by their neo-colonial leaders to wage war on Niger which can only serve the interest
of the predatory forces of the West.
We call for mass protests, signature and media campaigns to force the leaders of West Africa to listen to
reason and pull back from a needless war. The task of preventing war in the subregion is urgent and we
have no time to spare
The leaders of West Africa should do the prudent and mobilise resources not for war but for the
resolution of the social, political and economic problems confronting their people.
We cannot relent in our efforts. We must defeat the war mongers whether they sit in the citadels of
power or play surrogates to the western countries. We can stop this needless war and we must!
Signed.
Kwesi Pratt Jnr.
General Secretary
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