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Tag: ECOWAS

  • ECOWAS envoy meets deposed Niger President

    ECOWAS envoy meets deposed Niger President

    The ECOWAS envoy and Chad Transitional President, Mahamat Déby Itno, met with the deposed President of Niger, Mohamed Bazoum, in the capital city of Niamey on Monday.

    This meeting marks the first time that the ousted president has been seen since the military detained him following the coup last week.

    The regional leaders have given the junta a seven-day ultimatum to relinquish power voluntarily or face the risk of military intervention and President Déby is leading ECOWAS mediation efforts to finding a peaceful resolution to the situation in Niger.

    During his visit to Niger, the ECOWAS envoy also held a meeting with the head of the junta, aiming to foster dialogue and explore avenues for a peaceful transfer of power and restoration of stability in the country.

    Deby said he had met Bazoum and coup leader General Abdourahamane Tiani to explore ways “to find a peaceful solution,” without going into further detail.

    ECOWAS mediation efforts are focused on upholding democratic principles and ensuring the well-being of Niger’s citizens amidst the current political upheaval.

    The regional bloc said it would “take all measures necessary to restore constitutional order” if its demands were not met.

    “Such measures may include the use of force,” and military chiefs were to meet “immediately” to plan for an intervention, a statement added.

    Meanwhile, in an address on state television, Colonel Amadou Abdramane, one of the coup plotters, said the ousted government had authorised France to carry out strikes on the presidency through a statement signed by Bazoum’s foreign minister, Hassoumi Massoudou, acting as prime minister.

    Abdramane alleged the planned strikes were aimed at freeing detained President Bazoum and reinstating his toppled government.

    The junta also announced that it is suspending the export of uranium and gold to France with immediate effect. Niger is the world’s seventh largest producer of Uranium.

    While the French Foreign Ministry has neither confirmed nor denied the accusation, it has emphasized that Paris recognizes only President Bazoum as the legitimate authority in Niger.

    France added that its primary focus remained to safeguard its citizens and interests in the West African country.

    Recent developments in Niger have drawn condemnation from various international entities, including the African Union, the United Nations, and France.

    Germany has suspended financial and development aid to Niger after last week’s coup, but officials say evacuation of German citizens or soldiers is not currently considered necessary.

    The coup has also prompted concern that Niger, a key Western ally in the fight against jihadist groups in West Africa, could pivot towards Russia, towing the same path as neighbouring Burkina Faso and Mali Russia after staging their own coups in recent years.

  • Seven-Day Ultimatum: Niger Republic coupists reply ECOWAS

    Seven-Day Ultimatum: Niger Republic coupists reply ECOWAS

    The coup plotters in Niger Republic have reacted to the seven days ultimatum given to them by ECOWAS to return president Mohammed Bazoum as the legitimate Head of State and government in the country.

    Recall that 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.

    The coupists have again reiterated their resolve to defend their territory and homeland.

    “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.’

    Sometimes last week 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.”

    The military also issued a warning about “the consequences that will flow from any foreign military intervention,” saying, “Certain dignitaries…are in thinking of confrontation,” which “will end in nothing but the massacre of the Nigerien population and chaos.”

    But reading the communique of ECOWAS leaders on Sunday, Touray said the bloc had resolved to  recognise “only official acts of President Bazoum or his duly mandated officials, reject any form of resignation that may purportedly come from him and considered the illegal detention of President Bazoum, as a hostage situation.”

    Aside from the seven-day ultimatum, the ECOWAS Authority at the Summit also imposed 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.

    Furthermore, assets of the Republic of Niger in the ECOWAS Central Bank, Niger state enterprises, and parastatals in commercial banks will be frozen.

    Niger will also be suspended from all financial assistance and transactions with financial institutions within the ECOWAS.

    Therefore, ECOWAS called on the West African Monetary Union and other similar regional bodies to implement these resolutions.

    Additionally, the bloc imposed immediate travel bans and froze the assets of the military officials involved in the coup attempt, their family members, and civilians who agreed to participate in any institution or government established by the Tchiani-led regime.

     

  • Coup: Military intervention in Niger Republic could spell doom for Nigeria – Adama Garba

    Coup: Military intervention in Niger Republic could spell doom for Nigeria – Adama Garba

    Adamu Garba, one of the chieftains of the All Progressives Congress, APC, has alleged that the United States and France have set a trap for the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, to go into a total war in the West African sub- region.

    Garba posited that any attempt of military intervention in Niger Republic could spell doom for Nigeria.

    His statement came off  the heels of the seven-day ultimatum issued to General Abdourahamane Tchiani, the mastermind of the  coup in Niger Republic, to return power to Mohammed Bazoom.

    The decision formed part of resolutions reached at the emergency meeting of ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, which was held in Abuja, Sunday.

    Garba urged President Bola Tinubu to be courageous enough to resist pressure from France and U.S for the ECOWAS to wage any military action against Niger.

    The APC politician made this known via his verified Twitter handle on Sunday.

    The APC chieftain called on Tinubu to opt for a non-kinetic and diplomatic approach.

    He wrote, “The West, under France and the U.S have perfectly set a TRAP for ECOWAS to go into a total war in the region. Any mistake of military intervention in Niger means we are done with.

    “President Tinubu must be courageous enough to resist French and U.S pressure on ECOWAS to wage any military action against Niger. We must use a non-kinetic, diplomatic approach.

    “If we make a mistake of involving military means in Niger, we may end up inviting more internal problems to ourselves and to the effort we made so hard in building a democratic government in place.

    “The truth of the matter is, West Africa has failed to protect democracy. Our only option now is to learn from the failures and prevent repeating it, not to completely destroy our region in the interest of Western Powers, against our security interests.”

  • Coup: Hunger, blackout loom as ECOWAS blocks supplies to Niger

    Coup: Hunger, blackout loom as ECOWAS blocks supplies to Niger

    Starvation, total blackout loom as the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) takes drastic measures to restore democracy to the Republic of Niger, whose government was overthrown by the military junta last week.

    The bloc, under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu, agreed on the “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, freeze all service transaction (sic), including utility services”.

    The resolutions, among several others, resulted from a special meeting held on Sunday by ECOWAS member states in Abuja, Nigeria.

    ECOWAS further imposed a travel ban and assets freeze on all the military officials involved in the coup, extending it to their family members and civilians working in any agency established by the junta.

    At the end of the meeting, Omar Touray, president of the ECOWAS Commission, said the authority also agreed to take military action against the military junta should they fail to restore President Bazoum within one week.

    The U.S. government has expressed serious concerns over the junta’s continued detention of Mohamed Bazoum, the democratically elected president of Niger. The American government is backing ECOWAS to restore constitutional order to Nigér.

  • ECOWAS gives Niger coup plotters seven-day ultimatum to return President Mohammed Bazoom

    ECOWAS gives Niger coup plotters seven-day ultimatum to return President Mohammed Bazoom

    The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Authority of Heads of State and Government has issued a seven-day ultimatum to the mastermind of the supposed coup in Niger Republic, to return power to the democratically elected president.

    The decision formed part of resolutions reached at the emergency meeting of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, which was held in Abuja, Sunday.

    ECOWAS threatened to use force should the Military refuse to give up power to  President Mohammed Bazoom.

    In the mean time, ECOWAS had directed the chiefs of defense staff of member states to meet immediately and come up with a resolution.

    According to Omar Alieu-Touray, President of the ECOWAS Commission, who read out the resolutions, the leaders have ordered the closure of land and air borders between ECOWAS countries and Niger.

    Other immediate sanctions by ECOWAS, include the imposition of a no-fly zone on all commercial flights to and from Niger.

    He also announced the suspension of all commercial and financial transactions between ECOWAS Member States and Niger, including the freezing of all service transactions, including energy transactions, as well as the freezing of the assets of the Republic of Niger in ECOWAS Central Banks.

    Present at the summit were the following heads of state and government and mandated representatives: His Excellency, President Patrice Talon, President of the Republic of Benin, President Alassane Ouattara, President of the Republic of Cote d’Ivoire. Adama Barrow, President of the Republic of the Gambia. Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo, President of the Republic of Ghana.

    Others are General Omar Umaro Mokhtar Sissoco Embaló, President of the Republic of Guinea Bissau. Bola Ahmed Tinubu, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Macky Sall, President of the Republic of Senegal, President Faure Gnassingbé of the Togolese Republic. The representative of the President of the Republic of Cape Verde, the representative of the President of the Republic of Liberia, the representative of President Bazoom, the President and Head of State of the Republic of Niger, the representative of President Julius Maada Wonie Bio, President of the Republic of Sierra Leone.

    Others include Omar Al Turia, president of the ECOWAS, Musa Faki, Muhammad, chairperson of the African Union Commission, Leonardo Santos Simão, who was special representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for West Africa and the Sahel and Head of Universe, including Mr. Job, President of the Commission of UMR.

    Touray said the principle of zero tolerance for unconstitutional change of government as enshrined in the ECOWAS and African Union protocols and other instruments remains in force.

    His words, “ECOWAS resolve as follows.

    “One, His Excellency President Mohammed Bazoom 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 Nigeria.

    “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 Niger. 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 measures 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 transactions, in any institutions or government, established by these military officials.

    “Express appreciation to His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu. President and Head of State of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for how he has conducted the affairs of the community since he was elected chair of the ECOWAS authority”.

  • BREAKING: ECOWAS enforces no flight zone on Niger

    BREAKING: ECOWAS enforces no flight zone on Niger

    In response to military coup in Niger Republic, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has enforced a no-flight zone over the country.

    The decision was announced on Sunday by the ECOWAS, at an urgent meeting following the increasing tension stirred by the military actors who are attempting to take over in Niger.

    This significant move is seen as a strong reaction to the recent ascendancy of the junta, which has stirred significant unrest in the country and poses a threat to the stability within the region.

    The ECOWAS leadership believes that the imposition of a no-flight zone will help curb the junta’s influence and hinder any potential allies from providing aerial support, even as leaders of the military coup fear that the regional body could stage an imminent military intervention in the capital of the Sahel country.

    In addition to the no-flight zone, the regional body has agreed immediate financial sanctions over the coup, and has given the junta a week to cede power, while noting that a use of force has not been ruled out.

    Details shortly…

  • Coup: Junta warns ECOWAS leaders against sending military troops to Niger, says we’ll defend our land

    Coup: Junta warns ECOWAS leaders against sending military troops to Niger, says we’ll defend our land

    The military junta in Niger has warned West African leaders meeting in Abuja against military intervention in the country’s ongoing coup.

    West African leaders are meeting in the Nigerian capital Abuja on Sunday, July 30, for an emergency summit on Niger, where a military coup took place earlier this week.

    The heads of state of the 15-nation Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) could suspend Niger from its institutions, cut off the country from the regional central bank and financial market, and close borders. France and the EU have already suspended financial aid and security cooperation with Niger. The US says it will follow suit.

    General Abdourahamane Tchiani, the head of the powerful presidential guard, declared himself the leader of Niger on Friday as the country’s elected president Mohamed Bazoum has been held by the military for four days.

    “ECOWAS and the international community would do everything to defend democracy and ensure democratic governance continues to take firm root in the region,” the president of Nigeria and ECOWAS chairman, Bola Tinubu, said in a statement on Friday.

    In a televised statement on Saturday night, July 29, Niger’s military leaders warned against any such military intervention by ECOWAS saying soldiers are ready to defend their homeland.

    “The objective of the (ECOWAS) meeting is to approve a plan of aggression against Niger through an imminent military intervention in Niamey in collaboration with other African countries that are non-members of ECOWAS, and certain Western countries,” junta spokesperson Colonel Amadou Abdramane said.

    “We want to once more remind ECOWAS or any other adventurer, of our firm determination to defend our homeland,” he added.

    The junta issued another statement calling on citizens in the capital Niamey to come out into the streets Sunday from 7 a.m. local time (8 a.m. CET) and demonstrate against ECOWAS to show support for the new military leadership.

    Niger is among the world’s poorest countries and receives nearly $2 billion (€1.8 billion) a year in official development assistance, according to the World Bank.

  • Niger coup: Junta warns against intervention as West African leaders meet

    Niger coup: Junta warns against intervention as West African leaders meet

    Niger’s military leaders have warned against any armed intervention in the country as West African leaders are set to gather in Nigeria’s capital on Sunday for an emergency summit to decide on further actions to pressure the army to restore constitutional order.

    Heads of state of the 15-member Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), and the eight-member West African Economic and Monetary Union could suspend Niger from its institutions, cut off the country from the regional central bank, and financial market, as well as close borders.

    Niger’s eastern neighbour Chad, a non-member of both regional organisations, has been invited to the ECOWAS summit, a statement from the Chadian president’s office said on Saturday.

    Niger is one of the poorest countries in the world, receiving close to $2 billion a year in official development assistance, according to the World Bank.

    It is also a security partner of former colonial power France and the United States, which both use it as a base to fight an Islamist insurgency in West and Central Africa’s wider Sahel region.

    The West African leaders could also for the first time, consider a military intervention to restore President Mohamed Bazoum who was ousted when Gen. Abdourahamane Tiani was declared the new head of state on Friday.

    Ahead of the Sunday summit, the military leaders in Niger on Saturday night, warned in a statement read on Niger national television on Saturday night against any military intervention.

    “The objective of the (ECOWAS) meeting is to approve a plan of aggression against Niger through an imminent military intervention in Niamey in collaboration with other African countries that are non-members of ECOWAS, and certain western countries,” junta spokesman Col. Amadou Abdramane said.

    “We want to once more remind ECOWAS or any other adventurer, of our firm determination to defend our homeland,” he said.

    The junta issued a second statement on Saturday night inviting citizens in the capital to take to the streets from 7 a.m. local time (0600 GMT) to protest against ECOWAS and show support for the new military leaders.

    The military coup in Niger has been widely condemned by its neighbours and international partners who have refused to recognise the new leaders and have demanded that Bazoum be restored to power.

    Bazoum has not been heard from since early Thursday when he was confined within the presidential palace, although the European Union, France, and others say they still recognise him as the legitimate president.

    The European Union and France have cut off financial support to Niger and the United States has threatened to do the same.

    After an emergency meeting on Friday, the African Union issued a statement demanding that the military return to their barracks and restore constitutional order within 15 days.

    It did not say what would happen after that.

  • President Tinubu holds ECOWAS summit to address Niger coup

    President Tinubu holds ECOWAS summit to address Niger coup

    Following the coup in Republic of Niger that has upended the constitutional political leadership in the West Africa country, Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu, Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, has called for a special summit of regional leaders.

    The meeting will hold on Sunday, July 30th, in the Nigerian capital, Abuja.

    According to the Special Adviser to the President on Special Duties, Communications, and Strategy, Dele Alake, President Tinubu strongly condemned the current political situation in the neighbouring country and vowed that ECOWAS and the international community would do everything to defend democracy and ensure democratic governance continues to take firm root in the sub-region.

    The unfolding crisis in Niger has garnered international attention, with US Vice President Kamala Harris and United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres reaching out to President Tinubu to express their firm support for ECOWAS’ stand and the Nigerian leader’s efforts to restore constitutional order in Niger.

    In separate telephone calls Thursday evening with President Tinubu, the leaders also commended the swift response of ECOWAS to the situation in Niger.

    The US highlighted the importance of democracy in Africa and the role Nigeria plays as a pivotal regional power and commended President Tinubu’s efforts to implement crucial reforms.

    The ECOWAS summit is expected to be a pivotal moment in addressing the coup and charting a course toward a peaceful resolution.

  • Tinubu engages global leaders after Niger coup

    Tinubu engages global leaders after Niger coup

    In the aftermath of the successful coup in the Republic of Niger, President Bola Tinubu of Nigeria has engaged in a series of high-level phone conversations with the United States and the United Nations.

    According to a statement by presidential adviser on special duties, communications and strategy, Dele Alake, both US Vice President Kamala Harris and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres commended President Tinubu, who is also the Chairman of ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, for leading the peace initiatives in Niger after soldiers from the Presidential Guard moved to depose President Mohamed Bazoum.

    Alake said both leaders expressed unwavering support for Nigeria’s efforts in restoring constitutional order in Niger and reaffirmed their commitment to democracy and stability in the West African sub-region.

    The US government highlighted the importance of democracy in Africa and the role Nigeria plays as a pivotal regional power and commended President Tinubu’s efforts to implement crucial reforms.

    Vice President Harris also stressed the importance of embracing energy transitions in Africa, adding that it will not only mitigate climate change impacts but also contribute to economic growth and social development.

    The conversation between President Tinubu and Vice President Harris also touched on Nigeria’s battle against terrorism, as she reiterated the United States’ commitment to assist Nigeria in combating security threats posed by extremist groups in the region.

    President Tinubu expressed deep appreciation for Harris’s support and encouragement regarding Nigeria’s economic reforms and shared his concerns about the developments in Niger Republic, which have potential implications for regional stability.

    President Tinubu stressed that ECOWAS under his leadership was committed to restoring constitutional order in Niger, and would leave no stone unturned in ensuring a peaceful resolution to the crisis.

    Tinubu also urged the United States to lead the way in attracting private sector investments to Nigeria, as the country seeks to diversify its economy and attract more foreign investments.

    In his conversation with UN Secretary-General, President Tinubu also conveyed his determination to find a peaceful resolution to the impasse in Niger and expressed hope that the situation could be reversed for the better.