DEPUTY Senate President and former Speaker of the Parliament of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS Parliament), Senator Ike Ekweremadu, on Tuesday, warned against military action in the unfolding scenario in Gambia.
Senator Ekweremadu, in a statement endorsed by his Media Adviser, Uche Anichukwu, said military action could plunge the West African country into needless bloodletting and threaten the security and peace of the entire sub-region.
The Deputy Senate President regretted several blood-letting already witnessed in West Africa, saying dialogue was most necessary in resolving the unfolding scenario.
According to Ekweremadu, it was regrettable that the sub-region had already witnessed so many bloodbaths, including armed conflicts and human sufferings engendered by insurgency and terrorism, adding that the Heads of State of ECOWAS and the international community needed more of dialogue at this time.
He stated that the nature of dialogue should be one that allows Gambian laws take pre-eminence since it was a sovereign nation.
He also canvassed sanctions against Gambia in line with the traditions and relevant protocols of ECOWAS, adding that sanctions should be contemplated rather than military options.
The statement read in part: “From Liberia to Sierra Leone, Cote D’Ivoire, among others, West Africa has seen so much blood-letting and political instability. Heavy destruction of lives and property has also been visited on the sub-region by insurgency and terrorism, which remain present danger to the peace and security of West Africa.
“Instructively, what normally started like child’s play often resulted in protracted, but avoidable political upheavals and fratricidal wars. This is why the people of West Africa, especially the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government must tread with utmost caution to ensure that the sub-region is not plunged into yet another needless bloodletting and humanitarian crisis over the Gambian political challenge.
“Importantly, we must all acknowledge the fact that Gambia is a sovereign state. If her constitution and electoral laws allow for judicial role in resolving electoral disputes, then the Gambian constitutional courts must be allowed to count in resolving the political impasse.
“It could also amount to setting a bad and crisis-triggering precedence if the Gambian laws are pre-empted and her sovereignty breached. The sub-region must uphold the rule of law for the sake of the peace, stability and prosperity of Gambia. We must take all necessary steps as a sub-region to steer the West African nation and, indeed, the entire community away from any looming bloodshed and monumental destruction.”
He also commended ECOWAS Heads of State and Government for their concern and commitment to resolving the political situation in Gambia.
He added: “I am aware that several high level meetings have been held and several missions undertaken to the Gambia as a way of finding solution to the problem. Importantly, our president, President Muhammadu Buhari, is now charged with the responsibility of driving the efforts and I wish him sufficient wisdom to address and resolve the political situation without any resort to military option.”
He charged Gambian authorities to avoid an escalation of the crisis, adding that the authorities needed to ensure the protection of the fundamental and political rights of all Gambians.
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