The Authority of Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)has announced wide ranging sanctions such as a ‘no fly zone over Niger and an immediate closure of its borders.
ECOWAS also issued a seven-day ultimatum to the military in Niger Republic to restore ousted President Muhammed Bazoum to office.
The ECOWAS under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu announced this disciplinary action following the special meeting held on today, in Abuja.
The decision of the extraordinary session of the Authority followed its deliberations on developments in the country where President Mohamed Bazoum has been held by members of his presidential guards for days.
At Sunday’s meeting, the Authority affirmed its recognition of Bazoum as the legitimate President of the country and also announced the imposition of land, air border closure and suspension of all commercial flights between Niger Republic and ECOWAS member states.
The President of the ECOWAS Commission, Omar Touray, announced the decision, saying that all Chiefs of Defense Staff of the member states will proceed for an emergency meeting to strategize on effective ways to implement a possible military operation to restore Bazoum to office.
The communique issued at the end of the meeting revealed that the session was resolved as follows:
“His Excellency President Mohammed Bazoum remains the legitimate, elected president and head of state of the Republic of Niger, recognized 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.
“Condemn in the strongest terms, the attempted overthrow of constitutional order in Niger, and the illegal detention of His Excellency, President Mohammed Bazoum, President and Head of State of Niger, as well as members of his family and government.
“Freeze of assets of the Niger State and the state enterprises and parastatals in commercial banks.
“Suspension of measure from all financial assistance and transactions with all financial institutions, particularly EBID, and BAORD.
“Calls WAHU and all other regional bodies to implement this decision.
“Impose travel ban and asset freeze for 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.”
Present at the summit were Presidents Patrice Talon (Republic of Benin), Alassane Ouattara, (Cote d’Ivoire), Adama Barrow (Gambia), Nana Akufo Addo (Ghana), Omar Umaro Mokhtar Sissoco Embaló (Guinea Bissau), Macky Sall (Senegal), Faure Gnassingbé (Togo), and the representatives of the presidents of Cape Verde and Liberia.
The Transitional President of Chad, Mahamat Deby, showed up and departed before the opening of the meeting.
Also in attendance were the representative of President Bazoom, the representative of President Julius Maada Wonie Bio of Sierra Leone; chairperson of the African Union Commission, Musa Faki Muhammad; Leonardo Santos Simão, who was special representative of the United Nations Secretary General for West Africa and the Sahel and Head of Universe and Mr. Job, President of the Commission of UMR.
Meanwhile, the new military authorities in Niger Republic has warned against any external military intervention in the country.
Speaking on Saturday night, the military spokesperson Colonel Amadou Abdramane, said: “We want to once more remind ECOWAS or any other adventurer of our firm determination to defend our homeland.”
