The Coalition of Muslim Organisations, Ghana (COMOG) has cautioned the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) against sending troops to restore democratic rule in the country.

Instead, COMOG suggests using religious leadership intervention to negotiate for the restoration of democracy in Niger.

According to the group, the military intervention the ECOWAS has considered is a misplaced option because it would have more catastrophic consequences in the sub-region

“We are aware that, Nigerian Muslim Clerics are exploring that window and it will not be out of place for ECOWAS to consider same. It is our hope that the government of Ghana will also heed to this suggestion.”

“It has become a trite knowledge how religion has played a role in resolving issues of conflict of national proportion in Africa. It shouldn’t be lost on us, how His Eminence, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, the former Emir of Kano, a Tijjanniyya Leader in Nigeria who is also a Muslim Cleric of international repute was allowed a smooth passage into Niger in a bid to persuade the junta to back down on their perceived extreme position,” the Coalition of Muslim Organisations, Ghana said in a statement copied to Metro TV.

The Coalition of Muslim Organisations, Ghana also outlined the social, economic, and political effects of the military intervention in the subregion.

“As Ghanaians, we are further concerned about the budget that is likely to burden the nation if troops are committed to this exercise, especially at a time when our economic indices are not in the best of shapes.”

“Furthermore, the levels of unemployment among the youth with its security implications must be a concern to the government at this material time. This is because a military intervention can easily create accessibility to sophisticated weapons by the youth in the sub-region.”

Below is the full statement