ECOWAS calls for immediate release, reinstatement of Niger President, Bazoum

The Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has called for the immediate release and reinstatement of President Mohamed Bazoum as the legitimate Head of State and Government of the Republic of Niger.

ECOWAS also rejected the purported resignation by President Bazoum and declared him the only recognised and elected President by ECOWAS, the African Union, and the international community.

This was contained in a communique issued at the end of the Extraordinary Summit on Socio-Political Situation in the Republic of Niger read by the President, ECOWAS Commission, Dr Omar Touray on Sunday in Abuja. 

‘‘In this regard, only official acts of President Bazoum or his duly-mandated officials will be recognized by ECOWAS,’’ they said.

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The leaders expressed strong condemnation of the attempted overthrow of constitutional order in Niger, and the illegal detention of President Bazoum, as well as members of his family and government.

ECOWAS further demanded the full restoration of constitutional order in the Republic of Niger and considered the illegal detention of President Mohamed Bazoum as a hostage situation, holding the authors of the attempted coup d’état solely and fully responsible for his safety and security and that of his family and government.

ECOWAS announced that in case their demands are not met within one week, they would take necessary measures to restore constitutional order in the Republic of Niger.

“Such measures may include the use of force for this effect, the Chiefs of Defence Staff of ECOWAS are to meet immediately,’’ the leaders said.

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ECOWAS leaders also condemned the pronouncement of support by foreign governments and foreign private military contractors, while expressing appreciation to various governments and partners for their stance and solidarity.

In the Summit hosted by President Bola Tinubu as the Chairperson of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, an agreement was reached to appoint and dispatch a Special Representative to deliver the demands of the authority.

In response to the coup attempt, the Summit announced immediate sanctions on Niger including the closure of land and air borders between ECOWAS countries and Niger, establishing a no-fly zone on all commercial flights to and from Niger, and suspending all commercial and 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 ECOWAS,” they stated.

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In the same vein, ECOWAS imposed travel bans and assets freezes on the military officials involved in the coup attempt, as well as their family members and civilians who agreed to participate in any institution or government established by these military officials.

President Tinubu thanked fellow leaders, Moussa Faki Mahamat, the African Union Commission (AUC) Chairperson, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Office in West Africa and the Sahel, Leonardo Santos Simaõ, for their active engagement and invaluable contributions to the discussions.

‘‘As we come close to this Extraordinary Summit on the socio-political situation in the Republic of Niger, I send my heartfelt gratitude to every one of you for your active engagement in our open and closed-door meeting.

‘‘Your invaluable contributions to our discussions have got us this far and hopefully, we will achieve our objective.

‘‘The essence of African unity and solidarity is hereby reaffirmed. Our unwavering commitment to democracy, peace, and prosperity is hereby resolved.

‘‘Throughout our deliberations, we have recognized that the challenges faced by Niger are interconnected with broader issues affecting our region.

‘‘As African leaders, it is our shared responsibility to foster stability and progress, placing the wellbeing of our people at the forefront of our endeavours, and working together towards their prosperity and happiness must always consistently, be our goals.

‘‘We will stand with our people in freedom and our commitment to the rule of law and not the barrel of a gun. Africa has come of age.

‘‘We reject coup and interruption to constitutional order. Thank you for coming.”