War looms as the Economic Community of West African countries at an extra ordinary meeting at its headquarters in Abuja on Thursday has directed all member countries’ Chief of Defense Staff to mobilise troops to standby to restore constitution order in the Republic of Niger.
The directive was contained in a communique which was issued after the meeting presided by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu who is the Chairman of ECOWAS, saying that the Committee of the Chief of Defense staff should activate the ECOWAS standby force with all its elements immediately.
CAPITAL POST recalled that Niger military junta have overthrown the government of Mohamed Bazoum two weeks ago and have detained him, his family members and members of his cabinet since then.
The umbrella body of West African countries have earlier issued ultimatum for the military junta headed by General Tchiani to vacate and restore the constitutional order which expired last Sunday.
The junta has defied the ECOWAS directive, remain recalcitrant and rather constituted a new government headed by a Prime Minister.
Nigeria has championed sanctions against the junta including the cut-off of Niger from its national grid as well as slamming members of the military with economic sanctions. Tinubu has also directed the Central Bank of Nigeria to frozen assets of Nigerians who defied the directive and continue to transact businesses with Nigeriens.
ECOWAS Communique after extra ordinary meeting in Abuja [See details]
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 Bazoum, 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.
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.
