Niger junta leaders
The Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, has ordered its standby force to restore constitutional order in the Niger Republic.
The President of ECOWAS, Omar Alieu Touray, made the declaration while reading the resolution of ECOWAS on the Niger coup at the ECOWAS Extraordinary meeting in Abuja on Thursday.
It also called on the African Union, AU, partner countries, and institutions to support the resolution taken by the sub-regional body.
ECOWAS said all efforts made to dialogue with Niger Republic military junta have been defiantly rejected by coup leaders as they condemn the continuous detention of President Mohamed Bazoum and his family members.
The resolution partly reads, “Direct the committee of the Chief of Defence Staff to activate the ECOWAS standby force with all its elements immediately.
“Order the deployment of the ECOWAS stand-by force to restore constitutional order in the Republic of Niger.
“Underscore its continued commitment to the restoration of constitutional order through peaceful means.”
It issued an order to the Chiefs of Defense Staff to activate the ECOWAS standby force immediately. This action is being taken in order to restore constitutional order in the Niger Republic.
Touray said the Authority considered the current situation in Niger, as well as ECOWAS engagement since the last extraordinary summit.
He said the community also reviewed the reports of the envoys of the chairman to Niger and other locations and carefully considered the report and recommendations of the ECOWAS committee of chiefs of defense staff.
Furthermore, he said the community leaders extensively discussed the latest developments in Niger since the last extraordinary summit held on July 30, 2023.
They noted that all diplomatic efforts made by ECOWAS to resolve the crisis have been defiantly repelled by the military leadership of the Republic of Niger.
In light of this, and taking into account the expiration of the one-week ultimatum given for the restoration of constitutional order in Niger, the Authority resolved to:
Reiterate its strong condemnation of the attempted coup d’etat and the continued illegal detention of President Mohammed Bazoam, his family, and members of his government:
The Authority further condemned the condition in which President Bazoum is being detained and hold the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland (CNSP) fully and solely responsible for the safety, security, and physical integrity of President Bazoum, members of his family, and government.
The Authority upheld all measures and principles agreed upon by the extraordinary Summit held on Niger on 30th July 2023.
It underscored the determination of the ECOWAS authority to keep all options on the table for the peaceful resolution of the crisis.
It enforced all measures particularly border closures and strict travel bans and asset 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.
The Authority warned member states who by their action directly or indirectly, hindered the peaceful resolution of the crisis in Niger about the consequences of their action before the community.
It further called 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.
The Authority directed the President of the Commission to monitor the implementation of the sanctions.
It underscored its continued commitment for the restoration of constitutional order through peaceful means.
