Leaders of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), have called for the immediate reinstatement of President Mohamed Bazoum and have threatened military action against Niger’s Military junta if their demands are not met within seven days.
The Authority said it recognise President Mohamed BAZOUM as the legitimate elected President and Head of State of Niger despite the attempted coup and his subsequent detention last week.
The leaders stressed on the principle of Zero tolerance for unconstitutional change of government as enshrined in the ECOWAS and African Union Protocols and other instruments; and assured that it would take all measures to reverse the military coup in Niger.
They condemned the attempted overthrow of constitutional order in Niger and said “only official acts of President Bazoum or his duly mandated officials will be recognized by ECOWAS.
In a communique issued after an Extraordinary Summit by the Authority of Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), convened in Abuja, Nigeria on Sunday, 30th July 2023, the regional bloc, Africa Union and the International Community would reject any form of resignation that may purportedly come from President Mohamed Bazoum; considering his illegal detention in a hostage situation.
According to the Communique, in the event that the Authority’s demands are not met within one week, it would take all measures necessary to restore constitutional order in Niger.
Such measures, they stated may include the use of force; To this effect, the Chiefs of defense staff of ECOWAS are to meet immediately.
Earlier. Niger’s Military Junta has said they would resist any “plan of aggression against Niger” by regional or Western powers
But the leaders of ECOWAS has said they would hold accountable all those responsible for violence and terror against lives and properties of innocent citizens and residents.
They condemned the pronouncement of support by foreign governments and foreign private military contractors and express appreciation to the various governments and partners for their stance and solidarity with ECOWAS.
The Authority said as a matter of urgency, it has appointed and dispatched a special representative of the Chair of the Authority to Niger immediately to deliver the demands of the Authority.
However, the regional bloc said, in the meantime, the following measures are to be taken to be applied with immense effect;
The closure of land and air borders between ECOWAS countries and Niger; institution of ECOWAS No-fly zone on all commercial flights to and from Niger.
In addition, the Authority said it has suspended all commercial and financial transactions between ECOWAS Member States and Niger and frozen all service transaction including utility services and assets of Niger in ECOWAS Central Bank, assets of the Niger State and the State Enterprises and Parastatals in Commercial Banks.
Niger, again has been suspended from all financial assistance and transactions with all financial institutions, particularly, EBID and BOAD, the statement said.
The Authority said it had placed a travel ban and frozen assets of the military officials involved in the coup attempt. “The same applies to their family members and the civilians who accept to participate in any institutions or government established by these military officials.
Lastly, the Authority called on WAEMU and all other regional bodies to implement this decision.
Present at the Summit were the following Heads of State; President Bola Ahmed TINUBU, President of Nigeria, who is also the ECOWAS Chair; President Patrice TALON, of Benin; President Alassane OUATTARA of Côte d’Ivoire.
Others include President Adama BARROW of The Gambia; President Nana Addo Dankwa AKUFO-ADDO of Ghana: and President Umaro Sissoco EMBALO of Guinea Bissau; President Macky SALL of Senegal; President Faure Essozimna GNASSINGBE of Togo;
Also at the summit were; Rui Alberto DE FIGUEIREDO SOARES, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Cooperation and Regional Integration of Cabo Verde; Amb. Dee-Maxwell SOAH KEMAYAH, Sn, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Liberia; Rupert DAVIES, High Commissioner of Sierra Leone to Nigeria and ECOWAS, and the Representative of President Bazoum of Niger.
The Summit was also attended by: Dr Omar Alieu TOURAY, President of the ECOWAS Commission; Moussa Faki MAHAMAT, Chairperson of the African Union Commission; Leonardo Santos SIMÃO, Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary General For West Africa and the Sahel and Head of UNOWAS; and Abdoulaye DIOP, President of UEMOA Commission.