The Head of States and Authority of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has again condemned the coup de’tate in Niger Republic, insisting that it will explore military interventions, if all options to restore Mohammed Bazoum back to power fails.
ECOWAS at its second extraordinary summit in Abuja on Thursday, also resolved to deploy a standby force to Niger to restore sanity in the West African country.
The extraordinary summit of Heads of State which held at the Presidential Villa Abuja was attended by President Julius Maada Bio of Sierra Leone, President. Umaro Mokhtar Sissoco of Guinea Bissau, President Everiste Ndayishimiye of Burundi and President Alassane Ouattara of Cote d’Ivoire.
Others spotted by our correspondent includes President Mohamed Ould, Ghazouani of Mauritania, President Nana Akofo-Ado of Ghana, President Macky Sall of Senegal and President Patrice Talon of Benin Republic.
The President of the ECOWAS Commission, Omar Alieu Touray who read out the communique on behalf of the bloc said, steps will be activated to monitor the implementation of the sanctions already imposed.
Touray also underscored the determination of the ECOWAS Authority to keep all options on the table for the peaceful resolution of the crisis open.
He said ECOWAS resolved to enforce all measures in particular border closures and strict travel bans and assets freeze on all persons or groups of individuals whose actions hinder all peaceful efforts aimed at ensuring the smooth and complete restoration of constitutional order.
His words, “The ECOWAS Authority having considered the memorandum presented by the President of the Commission on the current situation in the Republic of Niger, as well as ECOWAS engagement since the last extraordinary summit; and having considered the reports of the envoys of the chair, to Niger and various other places; carefully considered the report and recommendations of the ECOWAS committee of chiefs of defence staff;
“Having extensively discussed the latest development in Niger since the last extraordinary Summit held on 30th July 2023. Noted that all diplomatic efforts made by ECOWAS, in resolving the crisis have been defiantly repelled by the military leadership of the Republic of Niger, taking note of the expiration of the one-week ultimatum given for the restoration of constitutional order in the Republic of Niger decide as follows:
“Reiterates its strong condemnation of the attempted coup d’etat and the continued illegal detention of President Mohammed Bazoum, his family and members of his government.
“Further condemns the condition in which President Bazoum is being detained and holds the CNSP fully and solely responsible for the safety, security and physical integrity of President Bazoum, members of his family and government.
“Uphold all measures and principles agreed upon by the extraordinary Summit held on Niger on 30th July 2023. Underscore the determination of the ECOWAS authority to keep all options on the table for the peaceful resolution of the crisis.
“Enforce all measures in particular border closures and strict travel bans and assets freeze on all persons or groups of individuals whose actions hinder all peaceful efforts aimed at ensuring the smooth and complete restoration of constitutional order.
“Warn member states who by their action directly or indirectly, hindered the peaceful resolution of the crisis in Niger about the consequences of their action before the community. Call on the African Union to endorse all the decisions taken by the ECOWAS authority on the situation in Niger.
“Further call on all partner countries and institutions including the United Nations to support ECOWAS, in its effort to ensure a quick restoration of constitutional order, in conformity with its normative instruments. Direct the President of the Commission to monitor the implementation of the sanctions.
“Direct the Committee of the chief of defence staff to activate the ECOWAS standby force with all its elements immediately. Order the deployment of the ECOWAS standby force to restore constitutional order in the Republic of Niger. Underscore its continued commitment to the restoration of constitutional order through peaceful means”.
In the meantime, sources at the presidency said President Tinubu was more attuned to using dialogue to resolve the political impasse in Niger, but added that the ECOWAS final resolutions goes beyond him as a person.
He revealed that the backlash from the social media platforms criticising the presidency was uncalled for, especially as the decisions reached by ECOWAS were a collective one.
Recall that all hell was let loose when the military junta in the Niger Republic staged a peaceful coup forcing the democratically elected President Mohammed Bazoum out of power and placing him on house arrest.
While the controversies continue, Mali and Burkina Faso have extended support for the military junta in Niger.
