Pope Francis prays for peace in Niger
During the Angelus held in Saint Peter's Square on Sunday, Pope Francis expressed his deep concern for the ongoing situation in Niger, a nation in West Africa.
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He conveyed his solidarity with the Bishops' plea for peace within the country and stability across the Sahel region.
The Pope also offered his prayers for the international community's endeavours to promptly discover a peaceful resolution to the situation, emphasizing the well-being of all individuals involved. He urged for collective prayers for the people of Niger.
“Let us pray for the dear people of Niger,” Pope Francis said. “And let us also pray for peace for all populations wounded by war and violence, especially for Ukraine, which has been suffering for so long.”
Furthermore, Pope Francis beseeched prayers for global peace, extending his call to individuals affected by conflict and violence worldwide. He particularly highlighted Ukraine's enduring suffering.
The leaders of the Church in West Africa have also emphasized the importance of a peaceful resolution to Niger's predicament, firmly opposing any military intervention. Religious figures from the region have echoed the stance of Catholic Bishops, cautioning against military involvement as it could exacerbate the current crisis.
In a recent statement communicated through the Aci Africa news agency, the Regional Conference of Major Superiors of West Africa (RECOMSWA) echoed the Regional Episcopal Conference of West Africa (RECOWA-CERAO) by urging the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to explore alternative intervention strategies, beginning with negotiation.
The statement expressed a shared desire for restraint, prudence, and accountability from ECOWAS and other regional and international entities involved in this delicate situation.
Niger witnessed the overthrow of its democratically elected president by mutinous soldiers last month, leading to their consolidation of power and reluctance to engage in meaningful dialogues. President Mohamed Bazoum, along with his family, has been confined to their residence in the capital.
Efforts have been made by Niger's new military regime and a delegation from the West African regional bloc, ECOWAS, to engage in discussions aimed at resolving the standoff, which took place over the weekend.
