He ECOWAS Heads of state have vowed to use force to overthrow the junta in Niger if it remains recalcitrant.
West African leaders reached the resolution at their meeting in Abuja on Thursday after reviewing events since Sunday when the week-long ultimatum they gave the junta expired.
According to the statement read by ECOWAS President Omar Touray, the leaders noted that “all diplomatic efforts made by ECOWAS to resolve the crisis have been defiantly rejected by the military leadership of the Republic of Niger.”
They also took “note of the expiration of the one-week ultimatum given for the restoration of constitutional order in the Republic of Niger.”
As part of their decisions, ECOWAS leaders ordered “the Defense Staff Committee to activate the ECOWAS reserve force with all its elements immediately.”
They also ordered “the deployment of the ECOWAS standby force to restore constitutional order in the Republic of Niger.”
Newslodge reported how Niger’s junta remained defiant and continued to cling to power while holding President Mohamed Bazoum in custody.
Since the July 26 coup, ECOWAS has sent three delegations to Niger to meet with junta leaders. At least one such delegation, led by former Nigerian military ruler Abdulsalami Abubakar, was humiliated and prevented from seeing the coup leader, General Abdourahamane Tchiani.
Tchiani also refused to see the AU, UN and US delegations.
However, he did meet with former Nigerian central bank governor Lamido Sanusi on Wednesday.
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Sanusi, who later briefed Nigerian President Bola Tinubu on the outcome of his visit, said he went to Niger in his personal capacity.
The former head of the bank, an Islamic cleric, and other Islamic clerics also appealed to Tinubu to avoid war with Niger and to continue diplomacy.
In addition, the influential Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) declared its opposition to the war and called for the reversal of sanctions against Niger.
The Nigerian Senate also rejected a military option and asked President Tinubu to continue the dialogue.
Perhaps due to internal opposition to the war inside Nigeria, Tinubu, who chairs the ECOWAS heads of state, on Thursday called on his colleagues to continue dialogue with the coup leaders.
“As we reaffirm our relentless commitment to democracy, human rights and the well-being of the people of Niger, it is critical that we prioritize diplomatic negotiations and dialogue as the foundation of our approach,” he said.
He also suggested that the measures taken by ECOWAS so far be reviewed to see why they have not been effective.
However, his fellow heads of state disagreed with him.
They not only approved the deployment of an ECOWAS standby force in Niger, but also doubled the sanctions previously imposed on the country.
West African leaders ordered member states to “enforce all measures, in particular border closures, and strict travel bans and asset freezes on all persons or groups of persons whose actions impede all peaceful efforts.” aimed at ensuring the full and smooth restoration of constitutional order. .”
Speaking about the reason for his decision, President Alassane Ouattara of the Ivory Coast told reporters that the leaders had no choice and that the decision was not just about Nigeria’s interests.
“This is not a Nigeria vs. Niger issue at all,” he said. “All the heads of state think that we have tried to talk with the coup plotters. We have sent a delegation, high personalities…”
“But they are holding President Bazoum hostage. I personally consider this a terrorist act. And we cannot allow this to continue. We have to act.”
Read the full statement from the ECOWAS heads of state below.
The Authority having considered the memorandum submitted by the Chairman of the ECOWAS commission on the current situation in the Republic of Niger, as well as the commitment of ECOWAS 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 defense chiefs of staff committee;
discussed at length the latest development in Niger since the last Extraordinary Summit held on July 30, 2023.
He noted that all diplomatic efforts made by ECOWAS to resolve the crisis have been defiantly rejected by the military leadership of the Republic of Niger;
Noting the expiration of the one-week ultimatum granted for the restoration of constitutional order in the Republic of Niger, decides as follows:
A. Reiterates its strong condemnation of the coup attempt and the continued illegal detention of President Mohammed Bazoam, his family and members of his government
B. It also condemns the conditions in which President Bazoum is being held and holds the CNSP fully and exclusively responsible for the security, protection and physical integrity of President Bazoum, his family members and the government.
C. Maintain all the measures and principles agreed by the extraordinary Summit held in Niger on July 30, 2023.
D. Highlight 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 asset freezes on all persons or groups of persons whose actions impede all peaceful efforts aimed at ensuring the full and smooth restoration of constitutional order.
F. Warn the Member States that through their action, directly or indirectly, hindered the peaceful resolution of the crisis in Niger about the consequences of their action before the community.
G. Request the African Union to support all decisions taken by the ECOWAS authority on the situation in Niger.
H. Also request all partner countries and institutions, including the United Nations, to support ECOWAS in its effort to ensure a rapid restoration of constitutional order, in accordance with its normative instruments.
I. Instruct the President of the Commission to supervise the implementation of the sanctions.
J. Instruct the Defense Staff Committee to activate the ECOWAS reserve force with all its elements immediately.
K. Order the deployment of the ECOWAS reserve force to restore constitutional order in the Republic of Niger.
L. Underline your continued commitment to restoring constitutional order through peaceful means.
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Let hear it in the comment below if you do have an opinion on this; UPDATED: Coup in Niger: War looms as ECOWAS orders deployment of soldiers to sack recalcitrant Junta