Coup: Tinubu-led ECOWAS slams fresh sanctions on Niger’s military junta

Niger Republic has deepened in economic crisis as the Chairman of Economic Community of West African States and President of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu has ordered fresh sanctions on the country and its military junta following their failure to reinstate President Mohamed Bazoum who has been detained in the country.

Tinubu who is the Chairman of ECOWAS ordered the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to impose further financial sanctions on the Republic of Niger and to any senior Nigerian government officials who refused to comply with ECOWAS requests.

Recall that about two weeks ago, Bazoum was overthrown and arrested by the country’s senior officials, much to the chagrin of ECOWAS leaders, who threatened possible military action against the suicide bombers if democratic rule was not restored.

Tinubu’s spokesman Ajuri Ngelale announced the latest sanctions imposed by Nigeria, which currently chairs the ECOWAS Office of Heads of State or Government.

Speaking to House of Representatives correspondents in Abuja, Ngelale said: “Following the ultimatum period and on the basis of the previously agreed position on the financial sanctions imposed by the ECOWAS bloc on the military junta in the Republic of Niger, His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, through the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), has ordered further financial sanctions against entities and individuals connected or associated with the military junta in the Republic of Niger.

He also condemned the attempts by some parts of the media to personalize the unrest and sanctions against the Niger Republic Army and stressed that all measures taken by Nigeria are subject to the protocols and decisions of ECOWAS and not a unilateral decision by Tinubu Decree.

According to Ngelale, “This is not an individual action by a single President on behalf of a single nation.”

This is an action by the ECOWAS President, who is the President of Nigeria, but on the basis of the approval provided for in the unanimous resolution of all ECOWAS members and heads of state on financial sanctions by ECOWAS member states against the military junta in the Republic of Niger.

“There is an authority upon which we rely.

It is not in the power of the Nigerian government, but in the power of a previously public decision.

“It is the context, the nuance and the detail that is necessary in our reports so that our people are not misinformed; And we’re beginning to be portrayed internationally as if we’re in a situation where Nigeria is up against its neighbor Niger, because that’s a narrative that some international perspectives would like to develop for themselves. He stressed that “ECOWAS’s mandate and ultimatum is not a Nigerian ultimatum.”

This is not a Nigerian mandate and the Office of His Excellency President Bol Ahmed Tinubu, who is also President of ECOWAS, wishes to underline this.”

Ultimatum, Consultations at the international level, but especially at the national level, including contacts with state governors of Nigeria, which governs the neighboring countries of Niger, on the various implications and consequences of the situation in the Republic of Niger.

He also confirmed that on Thursday in Nigeria a Emergency meeting of ECOWAS leaders will be held to discuss the follow-up after the deadline for the military in the Republic of Niger last Sunday.