Niger Coup: ECOWAS Seeks UN, AU Support, Warns Mali, Other Members Against Backing Junta
By Admin
The Thursday summit was aimed to deliberate on developments in the Niger Republic following the coup that ousted the democratically elected President Bazoum.
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has warned Mali, Burkina Faso, and Guinea against backing the Niger junta following the July 26 coup that ousted President Mohamed Bazoum’s government.
This is contained in the communique of the second summit held by the Western African leaders in Abuja on Thursday.
The regional bloc also sought the support of the United Nations (UN) and African Union (AU) for the resolutions reached during the summit.
The Thursday summit was aimed to deliberate on developments in the Niger Republic following the coup that ousted the democratically elected President Bazoum.
The ultimatum given to the coup leaders by ECOWAS expired on Sunday without any favourable response from the military junta.
The military governments of Burkina Faso and Mali have warned that any military intervention against the coup leaders in Niger would be considered a “declaration of war” against their nations.
Guinea’s President Mamady Doumbouya has also expressed disagreement with the sanctions recommended by ECOWAS, including military intervention.
Bola Tinubu, who is the chairman of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), had stressed the need to prioritise diplomatic negotiations and dialogue in resolving the political crisis in the Republic of Niger.
He noted that the political crisis in Niger poses a threat to the stability of the region.
The communique reads: “The Authority having considered the memorandum presented by the President of the ECOWAS 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 defense staff; extensively discussed the latest development in Niger since the last extra ordinary 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:
“A. Reiterates its strong condemnation of the attempted coup d’etat and the continued illegal detention of President Mohammed Bazoam, his family and members of his government
“B. Further condemns the condition in which President Bazoum is being detained and hold the CNSP fully and solely responsible for the safety, security and physical integrity of President Bazoum, members of his family and government.
“C. Uphold all measures and principles agreed upon by the extra ordinary Summit held on Niger on 30th July 2023.
“D. Underscore the determination of the ECOWAS authority to keep all options on the table for the peaceful resolution of the crisis.
“E. 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.
“F. Warn member states who by their action directly or indirectly, hindered the peaceful resolution of the crisis in Niger about the consequences for their action before the community.
“G. Call on the African Union to endorse all the decisions taken by the ECOWAS authority on the situation in Niger.
“H. 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.
“I. Direct the President of the Commission to monitor the implementation of the sanctions.
“J. Direct the Committee of the chief of defense staff to activate the ECOWAS standby force with all its elements immediately.
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“K. Order the deployment of the ECOWAS standby force to restore constitutional order in the Republic of Niger.
“L. Underscore its continued commitment for the restoration of constitutional order through peaceful means.”
