Sheikh Aremeyaw Shaibu, the Chief Imam's spokesperson, has expressed concern over the collateral damage that could result if the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) sent troops to Niger to restore constitutional rule.

As a peace activist, Sheikh Shaibu claimed that since war has such terrible repercussions, it should never be considered as a solution to a dispute.

He drew attention to the terrible circumstances in Niger and expressed the opinion that, should ECOWAS invade the West African nation, the poor and vulnerable will be those who will be most negatively impacted.

“If you take Niger, 42.9% of citizens live below the poverty line. About 83% of them live in rural areas about 20% are unable to meet their daily needs.”

“And they are those going to bear the brunt of any looming war and given our sensitivity to the situation of such people, then what we will do is call for caution,” he told Evans Mensah on JoyNews’ PM Express.

Sheikh Shaibu urged ECOWAS to approach potential conflicts with extreme caution in light of these statistics and the already precarious circumstances that these populations face.

He believed that the ECOWAS could use diplomacy to restore democratic rule in Niger without resorting to force.

“So as a peace activist, war and violence are not part of my preference, rather, exhausting all the avenues available to get the junta to soften their positions and to give the opportunity for consultation that we will need for the restoration of constitutional rule,” he said on Wednesday.

This comes after the West African regional bloc decided to put together a standby force while attempting to resolve the Niger crisis through other diplomatic channels.

Already, a number of nations, including Ivory Coast, have agreed to send troops to the force. However, the opposition, which opposes the use of a military intervention, is criticising some of the leaders of nations like Nigeria and Ghana.

Security expert Rtd Colonel Festus Aboagye responded to ECOWAS' decision to put together a force by saying that it might take some time before the group sends a military force to Niger in an effort to restore constitutional rule.

He added that member states must contribute to a standby force because some do not have enough personnel or resources to do so.