The Civic Alliance asked the Nicaraguan Army to support “a peaceful solution to the crisis”, which the country has been going through for more than four months.
“At the beginning of the month of the homeland (September) we call on the Army of Nicaragua to act in strict adherence to the Constitution and the Laws and listen to the clamor of the people, who demand a peaceful solution to the crisis, to channel the country on the path of justice and democracy,” the Alliance said in a statement.
The public letter reminds the members of the Nicaraguan Army that they will not be able to carry out political-partisan activities and that their functions will be governed by strict adherence to the Political Constitution, to which they will respect and obey; in addition, that the patriotic symbols are only the Anthem, the Flag and the national Shield.
The coalition of business, students, peasants and other sectors of civil society focuses on reminding the Army “its nature and its role in the national State, in accordance with the provisions of the Political Constitution of the Republic and other laws.”
The letter states that the Nicaraguan Army is an armed institution for the defense of sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity, “it is nonpartisan, apolitical, obedient and non-deliberative”.
In the same document the Civic Alliance argues that there can be no more armed bodies in the national territory than those established in the Constitution, because the Army is “constitutionally the only armed military body of the republic.”
The letter states that the armed institution is prohibited from engaging in political espionage activities, and that “any act contrary to the Political Constitution committed by an authority, official or public employee constitutes an abuse of authority or functions.”
The letter was published on Sunday, September 2, the Nicaraguan Army Day, in homage to the National Army of Nicaragua’s National Sovereignty Defender.
So far, the Nicaraguan Army has remained on the sidelines of the crisis and at different times has maintained that it maintains control, both of its personnel and its weapons, and that these have not taken part in acts of violence.
The Alliance, a counterpart of the Government in the national dialogue, which has as mediator the Episcopal Conference, reminded the Nicaraguan armed forces of the mandate of law when an authority “transgresses” the laws of the country.
“The removal of the head of the Nicaraguan Army proceeds when his actions violate the apolitical or non-partisan nature of the Army,” emphasizes the Alliance.
In Nicaragua, the supreme head of the Armed Forces is the Executive, in this case President Daniel Ortega, who has recognized 198 dead due to the crisis, while international and non-governmental organizations number between 322 and 448.
Article originally appeared on Today Nicaragua and is republished here with permission.
