ECOWAS Threaten Military Action Unless Niger Coup Is Undone, Plotters dismiss ECOWAS warning

 

The Economic Community of West African States Authority of Heads of State and Government, on Sunday, in Abuja, issued a seven-day ultimatum to the Niger Republic military to release and reinstate President Mohammed Bazoum as the legitimate Head of State and government of the landlocked state.

But without delay, the Niger juntas shunned the whistle and warned ECOWAS against military intervention, saying, “We want to once more remind ECOWAS or any other adventurer of our firm determination to defend our homeland.”

ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government held an extraordinary meeting on Sunday at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa, Abuja, to discuss the next line of action on the developments in Niger Republic.

Recognising Bazoum as the legitimate President, the bloc rehashed its earlier resolution to explore “all measures necessary” to restore democratic governance in Niger.

“Such measures may include the use of force. To this effect, the Chiefs of Defence Staff of ECOWAS are to meet immediately,” President of the ECOWAS Commission, Omar Touray, said when he read a communique at the end of the Extraordinary Summit on the ‘Socio-Political Situation in the Republic of Niger.’

It was reported that members of the Nigerien Presidential Guard detained President Bazoum and later declared General Abdourahamane Tchiani as the nation’s new leader.

Tchiani, who has headed the Presidential Guard since 2011, said he was the new “President of the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland.”

Alongside the seven-day ultimatum, the ECOWAS Authority at the Summit also carried out immediate sanctions on Niger, including the closure of land and air borders between member-states and Niger.

They also imposed a no-fly zone on the Niger Republic and suspended all commercial flights to and from Niger.  They also suspended financial transactions between ECOWAS Member States and Niger.

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