Authority of Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has issued a seven-day-ultimatum to the military in Niger to restore ousted President Muhammed Bazoum to office while the border between Niger and all member states remain closed.
Hosted at the Presidential Villa, Abuja on Sunday by President Bola Tinubu, in his capacity as the Chairperson of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, the summit also agreed to appoint and dispatch a Special Representative to deliver the demands of the authority.
The resolution of the meeting also rejects any form of resignation that may purportedly come from the overthrown President.
ECOWAS has also announced wide ranging sanctions such as a ‘no fly zone over Niger and an immediate closure of its borders.
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.
The Commander of the country’s Presidential Guards, General Abdourahamane Tchiani, on Friday, declared himself the Head of a Transitional Government.
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.
“Call for the immediate release and reinstatement of President Mohammed Bazoum as President and Head of State of the Republic of Niger, and for the full restoration of constitutional order in the Republic of Niger.
“Reject any form of resignation that may purportedly come from His Excellency, President Mohammed Bazoum.
“Consider the illegal detention of President Mohammed Bazoum, as a hostage situation and hold the authors of the attempted coup d’etat solely and fully responsible for the safety and security of His Excellency President Mohammed Bazoum, as well as members of his family and government.
“In the event, the authorities’ demands are not met within one week, take all measures necessary to restore constitutional order in the Republic of Nigeria. Such measures may include the use of force. For this effect, the chiefs of defense staff of ECOWAS are to meet immediately.
“Hold accountable, all those responsible for violence and terror against lives and properties of innocent citizens and residents of Niger.
“Condemned the pronouncement of support by foreign governments and foreign private military contractors.
“Express our appreciation to the various governments and partners for their stance and solidarity with ECOWAS.
“Appoint and dispatch a special representative of the chair of the Authority to Niger immediately to deliver the demands of the authority.
“In the meantime, the following measures are to be applied with immediate effect.
“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.
“Suspension of all commercial and financial transactions between ECOWAS Member States and Niger.
“Freeze all service transactions including energy transactions.
“Freeze assets of the Republic of Niger in ECOWAS Central Banks.
“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.”
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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 county.
