Bénin’s les démocrates advocate for diplomatic resolution in Niger crisis
The ongoing political turmoil in Niger, coupled with the looming threat of military intervention from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) against the Nigerien putschists, has raised significant concerns for Bénin’s opposition party, Les Démocrates. In a press release issued on Saturday, August 5, 2023, the party’s president, Eric Houndété, stated that the military coup in Niger not only plunges the neighboring nation into a precarious situation but also attracts “opportunists who typically exploit such crises for their own gain.”
Les Démocrates firmly declared their condemnation of “any seizure of power by force, regardless of its form,” expressing regret over the increasing frequency of coups d’état across West Africa. The leader of the Beninese opposition further elaborated that these destabilizing events often emerge from “political and socio-economic landscapes characterized by injustice, curtailed freedoms, exploitation of citizens, the monopolization of shared wealth by an elite class, systematic oppression, institutional capture, suppression of popular will, exclusion, and manipulations of constitutions and elections.”
Despite these underlying issues, Les Démocrates urged ECOWAS member states to prioritize diplomacy and dialogue as the primary means of conflict resolution, emphasizing their alignment with the diverse values and cultures of the region. They also advocated for proactive prevention, calling for a vigorous and sincere fight against “constitutional coups,” poor governance, and exclusion across all ECOWAS nations. The party, led by Deputy Eric Houndété, also raised critical questions regarding “the legal basis for declaring war on a member state of our economic community” and “the mechanisms by which the Government intends to seek parliamentary authorization to involve our children, our brothers, our compatriots in a declared war against a neighboring state.”
Furthermore, the party expressed concern about “who will finance the war effort.” Eric Houndété asserted that instead of encouraging heads of state to “embark on the hazardous, dangerous, and imprudent path of force,” his party implores the Beninese government to “champion the voice of dialogue, negotiation, reconciliation, and understanding.” He believes this approach is “a guarantee of peace for the sister Republic of Niger and ensures the preservation of common interests for both our peoples and our two states.” Consequently, Les Démocrates “reiterates its offer/demand for national political dialogue as an indispensable lever for promoting peace and development in our country.”
