Coup d’État in Niger : President Faure Gnassingbé prioritizes dialogue over Force

While all Heads of State from member countries deeply engaged within ECOWAS are prepared for a military intervention to ensure a «complete return to constitutional order» in Niger following the coup on Wednesday, July 26, 2023, the Togolese President, His Excellency President Faure Gnassingbé, advocates for  dialogue for a peaceful resolution to the crisis.

Dynamic and empathetic at the same time, President Faure continues to stand out from the regional heads of state through his stances on the multiple crises faced by countries in this region of the African continent.

As the suspense remains regarding a potential foreign military intervention in Niger, just hours before the end of the ECOWAS ultimatum, President Faure Gnassingbé called for a peaceful resolution of the crisis on Sunday, August 6, 2023.

Indeed, certain ECOWAS member countries, with Nigeria at the forefront, declare their readiness to use force to compel the military responsible for the July 26 coup to restore power to President Mohamed Bazoum.

However, Togo, which has refrained from interfering in Niger’s internal affairs amidst this crisis, has urged ECOWAS to seek a peaceful resolution.

President Faure Gnassingbé, who «emphasizes the virtues of dialogue», is aligned with this approach along with Algeria and Chad.

 It’s noteworthy that he significantly contributed to the lifting of sanctions imposed on Mali by ECOWAS and UEMOA after the second coup that toppled President Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta in 2021.

Additionally, it’s important to mention that President Faure Gnassingbé and Togolese diplomacy played a crucial role in the release of 49 Ivorian soldiers who were arrested and detained in Mali last year.

 These soldiers had been portrayed by Bamako as mercenaries seeking to destabilize the country. Thanks to President Faure Gnassingbé’s diplomatic skills and efforts, this situation was peacefully resolved, demonstrating his ability to positively contribute to the resolution of regional crises.

Esso Botchona