Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS on Sunday July 30, in Abuja called for the immediate release and reinstatement of President Mohamed Bazoum as the legitimate Head of State and Government of the Republic of Niger.
They also warned that, In the event, ECOWAS’ demands are not met within one week, they would “take all measures necessary to restore constitutional order in the Republic of Niger”, and that “Such measures may include the use of force.
This was stated in the Communiqué issued at the end of the Extraordinary Summit of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government on the political situation in Niger and announced by the President, ECOWAS Commission, Dr Omar Touray, the attendees, Which included leaders of eight West African States and representatives of leaders of three others, also rejected any resignation ‘that may purportedly come from President Bazoum’ and declared him as the only recognised and elected President by ECOWAS, the African Union and the international community.
‘‘In this regard, only official acts of President Bazoum or his duly-mandated officials will be recognized by ECOWAS,’’ they said.
The leaders expressed strong condemnation of the attempted overthrow of constitutional order in Niger, and the illegal detention of President Bazoum, as well as members of his family and government.
They demanded full restoration of constitutional order in the Republic of Niger and considered “the illegal detention of President Mohamed Bazoum as a hostage situation, holding the authors of the attempted coup d’état solely and fully responsible for his safety and security and that of his family and government”.
As part of measures to pressure the military junta to step down, the leaders announced immediate sanctions on Niger, including the closure of land and air borders between ECOWAS countries and Niger, establishing a no-fly zone on all commercial flights to and from Niger, and suspending all commercial and financial transactions between ECOWAS Member States and Niger.
The communique also stated that assets of the Republic of Niger in ECOWAS Central Bank, Niger state enterprises, and parastatals in commercial banks will be frozen. The country will also be suspended from all financial assistance and transactions with financial institutions within ECOWAS.
Travels bans and assets freezes were also imposed on the military officials involved in the coup attempt, as well as their family members and civilians who accept to participate in any institution or government established by these military officials.
Niger will also be suspended from all financial assistance and transactions with financial institutions within ECOWAS.
ECOWAS leaders also condemned the pronouncement of support by foreign governments and foreign private military contractors, while expressing appreciation to various governments and partners for their stance and solidarity.
The Summit, which was hosted by President Bola Tinubu, in his capacity as the Chairperson of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, also agreed to appoint and dispatch a Special Representative to deliver the demands of the authority.
Early responses to these sanctions have been mixed, as some observers say these measures, though imposed on previous military juntas in other states, have not stopped the spate of military interventions. They also warn that any attempt at using force may cause greater instability in the region and stur further crises than address the problem.
Many advise that a peaceful resolution of the issue would be a more logical approach for a region that already has its hands full with various security concerns.
