ECOWAS Chairman Nana Akufo-Addo has appealed for calm in a statement urging Nigerians to use “dialogue in resolving the #EndSARS impasse” – as calls grow to overhaul the country’s security forces.
“I have spoken with President Buhari, who is committed to this end, and has begun the processes that will lead to reform”, the Ghanaian leader wrote on Facebook Wednesday.
“Violence, be it on the part of the Police or protesters, cannot be the solution. To the families who have lost their loved ones, I express my sincere condolences, and I wish the injured a speedy recovery”, Mr. Akufo-Addo added.
His statement comes on the back of fresh violence which erupted in Lagos on Wednesday, a day after rights groups and witnesses said the army had opened fire on a crowd of peaceful protesters who defied curfews in Nigeria’s largest city.
Already the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has also called on the security agencies in Nigeria to act professionally in its handling of the protestors of the #ENDSARS Movement.
ECOWAS in a statement issued by H.E. Jean-Claude Kassi Brou, the President of ECOWAS Commission also urged protestors to protest in a non-violent manner.
“While the ECOWAS Commission recognizes the right of citizens to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly and protests, it is also of the view that those rights should be exercised in a non-violent manner.”
“In this regard, the ECOWAS Commission calls on all protesters to remain peaceful in the conduct of their demonstrations. It also urges the Nigerian security operatives to exercise restraint in the handling of the protests and act professionally.”
ECOWAS further urged the Federal Government of Nigeria and the Nigerian youth to “urgently pursue dialogue” to resolve their grievances.
“Finally, ECOWAS Commission appeals to the Federal Government of Nigeria, the Nigerian youth, and the civil society to urgently pursue dialogue for an early and amicable resolution of this social unrest and maintain the Nigerian image as a bastion of law and order.”
Below is the full statement from ECOWAS
ECOWAS PRESS RELEASE
#ENDSARS PROTESTS IN NIGERIA
ECOWAS Commission notes with concern that demonstrations by Nigerian youth calling for police reform, particularly the abolition of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) of the Nigeria Police, accused of misconduct by those demonstrating, have turned violent. ECOWAS Commission expresses its condolences to the families and friends of those who have lost their lives during the protests and wishes the injured a speedy recovery.
While ECOWAS Commission recognizes the right of citizens to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly and protests, it is also of the view that those rights should be exercised in a non-violent manner. In this regard, ECOWAS Commission calls on all protesters to remain peaceful in the conduct of their demonstrations. It also urges the Nigerian security operatives to exercise restraint in the handling of the protests and act professionally.
ECOWAS Commission further notes that, in an effort to address the demands of the protesting youth, the Federal Government of Nigeria took important decisions regarding disbandment of SARS, comprehensive police reforms and investigation of cases of police brutality. It encourages the Nigerian Authorities to conduct the investigation rapidly.
Finally, ECOWAS Commission appeals to the Federal Government of Nigeria, the Nigerian youth and the civil society to urgently pursue dialogue for an early and amicable resolution of this social unrest and maintain the Nigerian image as a bastion of law and order.
Abuja, 21 October 2020
H.E. JEAN-CLAUDE KASSI BROU
PRESIDENT OF THE ECOWAS COMMISSION
