16th August 2023 1:09:36 PM
2 mins readParliament has reportedly summoned top military officials and heads of various security agencies within the country to address President Akufo-Addo's decision to deploy Ghanaian troops to Niger.
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This deployment is part of the ECOWAS standby force's effort to remove the newly established military leadership in Niger.
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As per a report from JoyNews, the Defence and Interior Committee of parliament called upon the leaders of the Ghana Armed Forces and other security bodies to provide insights into the president's alleged directive.
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The meeting involved representatives from the Ghana Armed Forces, National Security, the Ministers of Defence and Interior, and leaders of the Ghana Police Service, among others.
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The report highlighted that several issues were discussed, focusing on the constitutionality of Akufo-Addo's choice to contribute troops to the ECOWAS standby force. It was also noted that Article 40 of the 1992 Constitution was a significant point of discussion during the meeting.
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Article 40 outlines that the government shall, in its interactions with other nations:
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(a) promote and safeguard the interests of Ghana; (b) pursue the establishment of a just and fair international economic and social order; (c) encourage respect for international law, treaty obligations, and the peaceful resolution of international conflicts; (d) uphold the principles of the Charter of the United Nations, the Charter of the Organization of African Unity, the Commonwealth, the Treaty of the Economic Community of West African States, and any other international organization of which Ghana is a member.
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Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, a member of the Defence and Interior Committee and also the Member of Parliament for North Tongu, spoke with JoyNews after the meeting. He stated that specific details of the gathering would not be disclosed, but he indicated that the meeting was successful and part of a series of discussions.
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Background: The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) ordered the deployment of a standby force to Niger. This decision was made by ECOWAS leaders during an Extraordinary Session in Abuja, Nigeria on August 10, 2023. The summit was convened due to the alleged illegal detention of President Mohamed Bazoum by the Presidential Guard of Niger on July 26, 2023.
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The communique issued by the ECOWAS Authority reiterated their strong condemnation of the attempted coup d'état and the ongoing unlawful detention of President Mohammed Bazoum, his family, and members of his government.
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However, military leadership in Burkina Faso and Mali responded by warning that any forcible attempt to reinstate President Mohamed Bazoum in neighboring Niger would be viewed as a declaration of war against them.
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Numerous security experts have cautioned against the potential disastrous consequences of proceeding with the decision to deploy troops to Niger within the ECOWAS framework.
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