The Economic, Social and Cultural Council (ECOSOCC), the civil society organ of the African Union, has noted with grave concern, events unfolding in the Federal Republic of Nigeria and has called for an urgent de-escalation of the current unrest in Nigeria with a view to protecting the lives of citizens. This follows reports of the use of deadly force by armed military officers against unarmed civilian protesters in the West African country.
A statement signed by Emmanuel Saffa Abdulai, Chairperson of the Political Affairs Cluster of ECOSOCC, urged the governing authorities to restore conditions and rights of citizens to peacefully protest and express themselves on issues affecting the safety and well being of Nigerians as enshrined in the national constitution and international law. The statement added that Nigerians must be able to do so without fear of retribution, confrontation, or violence that could lead to the loss of life and destruction of property.
ECOSOCC which has a mandate to promote the principles and ideals of good governance and Human Rights in the continent, encouraged all parties, including the government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and protesting citizens, to come together around the table of dialogue and to act, in good faith, to swiftly and peacefully resolve the current impasse in order to prevent any further fragmentation of the national fabric.
The statement urged the government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to reinforce and expedite the work of the various committees of inquiry established to look into the issue of police brutality in order to restore the confidence of citizens in the institutions of state.
It further noted that the Federal Republic of Nigeria is an integral part of the African Union and, thus, has a significant role to play in the fortification of the founding principles of a people-centered and people-driven African Union, as elaborated in the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance, the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights, and other regional and global human rights instruments.
The statement recalled the inalienable responsibility of the government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to pursue amicable solutions to disagreements with citizens in the interest of peace and stability in the nation. Subsequently, it called for a thorough, fair, and independent investigation of reports and video footage appearing to show the shooting of unarmed protesters by uniformed personnel and to ensure justice for victims and perpetrators alike.