OSAS EMMANUEL
ABUJA, Nigeria – The Joint Action Front (JAF), has condemned the move by Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) led by Nigerian President Bola Tinubu to launch military intervention in Niger Republic, as well as the economic sanctions including power cut and border closures that have been imposed on the country.
This was contained in a statement signed by the JAF Chairperson, Dr. Dipo Fashina, and issued in Abuja.
While condemning the “opportunistic coup” in Niger which according to him had nothing to do with the genuine interests of ordinary Nigeriens, Fashina stressed that it was the responsibility of the people of Niger Republuc to determine their own government and not an external force.
The therefore, called on the trade unions, working people and youth in Nigeria and West Africa to reject the planned war and the economic sanctions with a series of mass actions.
“The working masses and youth should demand, instead of wasting Nigeria’s resources on war against Niger, the Tinubu government should restore subsidy and reverse the petrol price to the old rate of N195 per liter.
“We also demand the adequate funding of public education and reversal of the current hike in school fees. We also demand the payment of decent minimum wage that matches the rate of inflation.
“While we unequivocally condemn the opportunistic coup in Niger which has nothing to do with the genuine interests of ordinary Nigeriens, we strongly hold that it is the responsibility of the people of Niger to determine their own government and not an external force.
“Therefore, we support any pro-democracy movement in Niger that calls and fights for the rights of the masses of Niger to democratically choose their leaders.
“We strongly hold that it is sheer hypocrisy and an insult from the West African leaders who emerged through fraudulent electoral process or the manipulation of constitution as it is the case with most leaders of ECOWAS to talk about restoring a so-called democratic government in a foreign country.
“The imposition of the economic sanctions is evidence that Tinubu and ECOWAS leaders do not care about the ordinary people of Niger who are the worst hit.
“Indeed, as it is already an open secret, we strongly believe the planned military intervention is a proxy war to be launched on behalf of the French and US imperialism who are desperate to continue the control and the pillage of the resources of Niger.
“We therefore support the growing mass protest and rejection of French imperialism in Niger and other West African countries. But we would like to warn against replacing one imperialist master with another one as the warm embrace of Putin led Russia by a section of Nigerien people indicate.
“Rather, we call on the working movement and youth of Niger to build an independent mass movement that fights for a working people government, the nationalisation of the resources of the country under the democratic control of the people themselves so that the resources can be used for the benefit of the vast majority, not a few and call for the solidarity of working class internationally including in France, US, Russia, etc.”
He also called on the people of Niger not to have any illusion in the General Tchiani led junta which is made up of elements of the old corrupt order and will not rule on behalf of ordinary Nigeriens.
“As their experience under the deposed Western puppet, Bazoum, shows, only the readiness of the Nigerien workers and poor masses to struggle can guarantee their class interests.
“We therefore stand in solidarity with the Nigerien trade unions, working class, the poor masses and radical youth in their struggle against imperialism, for democratic rights and for a Niger that works for all instead of a few.” He said.
