African leaders yesterday resolved to rid the continent of military rule by its ultimatum to coup plotters in the Niger Republic to retrace their steps or face military action.
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) gave a seven-day ultimatum to them to reinstate deposed President Mohammed Bazoum or face stiff sanctions.
Also, the African Union (AU) gave the Niger Republic military authorities a 15-day ultimatum to vacate power and allow democracy to thrive.
Other measures being considered by AU and ECOWAS include closure of land and air borders by neighbouring countries, suspension of commercial flights, cancellation of commercial and financial transactions and assistance, and freezing of the country’s assets and bank accounts.
The measures also include a travel ban on military officers and their families and a military attack against coup plotters.
The Authority of Heads of State and Government of the ECOWAS issued the ultimatum yesterday in its resolutions at the end of its Extraordinary Summit, held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
It resolved to direct critical institutions to suspend dealing with the country until constitutional order is restored.
ECOWAS summoned an emergency meeting of Chiefs of Defense Staff of member nations to strategise on effective ways to implement a possible military operation.
However, in a televised address, Brig.-Gen. Mohamed Toumba, one of the soldiers who ousted Bazoum, accused the meeting of making a “plan of aggression” against Niger and said it would defend itself.
ECOWAS said: “In the event the authority’s 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. To this effect, the Chiefs of Defense Staff of ECOWAS are to meet immediately.”
While recognising Bazoum as the legitimate President, the regional body also threatened to impose land border closures and no-fly zone conditions on the Niger Republic.
The President of the ECOWAS Commission, Omar Touray, who read the communiqué, called for the immediate release and reinstatement of President Bazoum as President and Head of State of the Republic of Niger and the full restoration of constitutional order in the Republic of Niger.”
He said: “His Excellency, President Mohamed Bazoum, remains the legitimate, elected President and Head of State of the Republic of Niger recognised by ECOWAS, the African Union and the international community.”
ECOWAS rejected any form of resignation that may purportedly come from Bazoum. the
The body described the illegal detention of President Bazoum as a hostage situation and held the actors of the attempted coup d’etat solely and fully responsible for his safety and security, as well as members of his family and government.
ECOWAS “condemned the pronouncement of support by foreign governments and foreign private military contractors”, while expressing “appreciation to the various governments and partners for their stance and solidarity”.
The commission appointed and dispatched a special representative of the Chair of the Authority to Niger immediately to deliver the demands of the authority.”
It added: “In the meantime, the following measures are to be applied with immediate effect: One, closure of land and air borders between ECOWAS countries and Niger. Two, the 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 the assets of the Niger state and the state enterprises and parastatals in commercial banks.”
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu thanked Moussa Faki Mahamat, the African Union Commission (AUC) Chairperson, 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.
He said: “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.
“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 gun. Africa has come of age.
“We reject coup and interruption to constitutional order,’’ he said.
Before the Summit, President Tinubu held bilateral meetings with President Umaro Sissoco Embalo of Guinea Bissau, President Mahmat Iddris Deby Itno of Chad, and Michael Health, the US Deputy Assistant Secretary of African Affairs.
Other leaders of member-states at the meeting were President Umaro Sissoco Embalo of Guinea-Bissau, Alassane Ouattara of Cote D’Ivoire and Faure Gnassingbe of Togo.
Others are Presidents Macky Sall of Senegal, Patrice Talon of Benin, and Nana Akufo-Addo of Ghana, while Cape Verde, Sierra Leone, and Liberia were represented by the Foreign Affairs Ministers. The embattled President Bazoum also sent a representative.
Also at the Summit were the Chairperson of the AU Commission, Mousa Faki Mahamat; and Leonardo Santos Simao, Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for West Africa and the Sahel.
Blinken to Tinubu: U.S. behind you on Niger Republic
The United States is behind President Tinubu’s efforts to restore democracy in Niger Republic, Secretary of State Antony J Blinken has said.
Blinken spoke with Tinubu at the weekend.
A statement from the Office of the Spokesperson signed by Matthew Miller added that Blinken shared “his deep concern over the events in Niger and the ongoing detention of democratically elected President Bazoum”.
Blinken thanked President Tinubu’s leadership, both as President of Nigeria and as Chairman of the Economic Community of West African States, throughout the current crisis.
He said: “He underscored his support for President Tinubu’s continued efforts to restore constitutional order in Niger.”
Group commends ECOWAS decision
A civil society organisation, the Committee for the Protection of Peoples Mandate (CPPM), lauded ECOWAS for its bold decision to reject the unconstitutional seizure of political power in the Niger Republic and the imposition of sanctions on the military rulers to vacate office within one week.
According to a statement issued in Lagos by its Executive Director, Nelson Ekujumi, CPPM also commended the African Union (AU), the American and French governments and all lovers of democracy globally, who have sided with the people of Niger Republic in rejecting the treasonable act and demanded immediate restoration of democratic rule to the country.
CSO calls for immediate restoration of democracy
Also, the Citizens Action for Good Governance (CAGG) called for the restoration of democracy in the Niger Republic.
It also called for the immediate release of the country’s president and his family.
National Coordinator of the Civil Society Organisation, Nazir Galadanchi, in a briefing with reporters at the weekend, condemned the coup.
He said: “It is highly barbaric and uncivilised action by the military officers who have spearheaded this undemocratic measure based on their selfish ambitions that are unpopular and against the wish of the people.”
The CSO commended the courage of President Tinubu for firmly condemning the coup.
It also lauded his prompt deployment of troops to secure the Nigeria/Niger Republic border.
“We applaud his courage, determination, and unwavering commitment to restoring democracy and bringing the coup perpetrators to justice.
“President Ahmed Tinubu’s strong will and sense of purpose come as no surprise, as he has consistently demonstrated his stance as a pro-democracy advocate against military regimes in the past.
“His continuous bravery in this regard is admirable,” the group said, while also praising the United States for its role so far.
Coup plotters’ supporters march
Supporters of coup plotters marched through the streets of the capital, Niamey, yesterday, forcefully denouncing former colonial power France.
Those who took part in the rally warned regional bodies who have denounced the coup to stay away.
“I would like also to say to the European Union, African Union and ECOWAS, please, please, stay out of our business,” said Oumar Barou Moussa who was at the demonstration.
“It’s time for us to take our lives, to work for ourselves. It’s time for us to talk about our freedom and liberty. We need to stay together, we need to work together, we need to have our true independence,” he added.
France warns protestors
France warned yesterday it would retaliate if its citizens were attacked, after protesters tried to enter its embassy in the capital, Niamey.
“Should anyone attack French nationals, the army, diplomats and French interests, they will see France respond in an immediate and intractable manner,” the French president’s office said, adding that French President Emmanuel Macron “will not tolerate any attack against France and its interests.”
“France also supports all regional initiatives” aimed at “restoring constitutional order” and the return of Niger President Mohamed Bazoum, Macron’s office said.
Belgium won’t sanction Niger
Belgium said it has not suspended financial aid to the Niger Republic.
But, Belgium condemned the coup in a statement by Federal Minister for Development Cooperation Caroline Gennez. Still, Belgium is not suspending all aid to the country with immediate effect.
“We support the local population in terms of development cooperation. Our projects are about education for girls, about sustainable agriculture, about health care, among other things,” said Gennez on Flemish radio.
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