By Progress Godfrey, Abuja
The Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore Fulani Socio-Cultural Association, on Monday, said that any military action against Niger following its ongoing crisis would have a negative impact on Fulani Pastoralists.
The association made this known in a communique signed by its National President, Alhaji Abdullahi Bello Bodejo (LamdoFulbe) and the National Secretary, Engr. Saleh Alhssan, issued at the end of its 2023 Annual General Meeting (AGM) and Delegate Conference, in Nasarawa State.
The group appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu “as leader of the ECOWAS to explore dialogue as the best option in resolving the political crisis in our neighbouring country, Niger Republic, as any declaration of military action will have devastating consequences in the Sahel and Sub-Saharan Africa, with negative impact on Fulani Pastoralists particularly.”
The group also condemned the continuous extrajudicial killing of Fulani Pastoralists by security agencies, describing as repressive and oppressive, Anti-open Grazing Laws laid down by some state governors.
The Communique read in part, “Delegates view the continuous policies of segregation by some state governors seeking to criminalise the economic livelihoods of Pastoralists through the enactment of obnoxious laws- Anti-open Grazing Law’ as the most wicked act any government can do to the economic interest of Fulani Pastoralists, and unanimously condemn and totally reject the repressive and oppressive laws, and call on the National Assembly to come to the rescue of the Pastoralists.
“Delegates expressed appreciation to the Executive Governor of Niger HE Mohammed Umar Bago for the creation of Ministry of Nomadic Affairs and called on other states Governors to emulate the positive gesture.
“Delegates totally condemn the continuous profiling of the Fulani race by some media organisations particularly the social media and urge the press to investigate the veracity of their stories before going to press or risk legal action
“Delegates frown at the continuous extra-judicial killing of Fulani pastoralists by security agencies in the country and call on the National Human Rights Commission to investigate these atrocities and ensure justice is served. ”
The group further resolved to establish “Miyetti Allah Vigilantee Nationwide” to assist security agencies in curbing criminalities such as cattle rustling, kidnapping and rural banditry.
They therefore passed a vote of confidence on the Badejo-led Exco and the entire Executive Council and unanimously renewed their tenure for another four years.