Saturday, February 22, 2025

AU, Ecowas condemn violence in Nigeria and call for dialogue

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Isaac Kaledzi
Isaac Kaledzihttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isaac_Kaledzi
Isaac Kaledzi is an experienced and award winning journalist from Ghana. He has worked for several media brands both in Ghana and on the International scene. Isaac Kaledzi is currently serving as an African Correspondent for DW.

The African Union has now โ€œcondemnedโ€ the violence that has characterized ongoing protests against police brutality in Nigeria.

Rights group Amnesty International has said that at least 12 people were killed by soldiers and police in Lagos on Tuesday.

At least 49 people have been reported dead just on Tuesday the protests against brutalities across Nigeria turned bloody.

The #EndSARS protests worsened on Tuesday with 43 protesters and six policemen losing their lives.

The Nigeriaโ€™s army has dismissed the reports of its soldiers shooting at protesters as โ€œfake newsโ€ despite enough video evidence of people dying and injured.

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The Chairperson of the AU Commission, Moussa Faki has urged both โ€œpolitical and social actorsโ€ to โ€œrespect human rights and the rule of lawโ€.

He hailed the disbandment of the hated Special Anti-Robbery Squad (Sars) and encouraged investigations to ensure โ€œperpetrators of acts of violence are held to accountโ€.

Meanwhile the regional bloc, the Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas) has also called for dialogue between the Nigerian government and the protesters.

Ecowas urged both parties to exercise restraint as protests continue.

โ€œIn 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,โ€ a statement read.

The Ecowas chairperson who is the President of Ghana, Nana Akufo Addo also said in a tweet that โ€œI have spoken with President Buhari, who is committed to this end, and has begun the processes that will lead to reform.โ€

He add that โ€œViolence, 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.โ€

The African Union and West African regional bloc Ecowas were condemned widely by many Africans for keeping silent on ongoing violence in Nigeria, forcing the bodies to now comment on the matter.

 

 

Source: Africafeeds.com

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