LAGOS, Nigeria — A recent directive by the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, to rally its standby force with aim of restoring constitutional order in the Niger Republic has struck a chord of discord with renowned Nigerian singer Peter Okoye.
ECOWAS’s intent to dispatch its forces to Niger in response to the country’s recent military coup, which unseated the democratically elected government.
This decision was pronounced at an Extraordinary Meeting in Abuja, presided over by ECOWAS President, Omar Alieu Touray.
In a statement by the subregional body, they decreed, “Direct the committee of the Chief of Defence Staff to activate the ECOWAS standby force with all its elements immediately.” This was followed by an explicit order for the “deployment of the ECOWAS stand-by force to restore constitutional order in the Republic of Niger,” underlining their unwavering commitment to the “restoration of constitutional order through peaceful means.”
But Okoye, half of the famed P-Square duo and also known as Mr P, took to his Twitter to vociferously criticise the move.
Expressing his disapproval on Thursday, August 10, 2023, he tweeted, “Africa joins the West to fight Africa. Total madness.”
Africa joins the west to fight Africa. TOTAL MADNESS!👎🏾🤮
— Peter Okoye MrP (@PeterPsquare) August 10, 2023
The sentiment echoes a larger debate over the role of international intervention in the internal matters of African nations, and whether such actions represent genuine concern or external influence.
Okoye’s bold remark, accusing ECOWAS of siding with the West against their own, adds a layer of complexity to the ongoing discussion about regional bodies and their interventions.
His stance also reflects a broader sentiment where artists and public figures are increasingly using their platforms to weigh in on political and societal issues, not just within their home countries but also across the African continent.
The full repercussions of ECOWAS’s decision and the response from figures like Okoye remain to be seen. However, one thing is certain: the debate on regional intervention and its implications for Africa’s sovereignty is far from over.
