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Threatens military action after expiration of deadline
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To close land, air borders between ECOWAS countries and Niger
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Orders no fly zone on all commercial flights to and from Niger
Authority of heads of state and government of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has given General Abdourahamane Tchiani, the mastermind of the coup in Niger Republic, seven days within which to reinstate Mohammed Bazoom back to power, failure of which it might resort to the use of force.
According to the report, 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, at the banquet hall of the Presidential Villa Abuja.
Beyond the directive, ECOWAS has also directed the chiefs of defense staff of member states to meet immediately with a view to implementing their threat of use of force.
H.E. Dr. Omar Alieu Touray, President of the ECOWAS Commission, who read out the resolutions noted that the ECOWAS leaders have ordered the closure of land and air borders between member countries and Niger.
Other immediate sanctions by ECOWAS, is the imposition of a no fly zone on all commercial flights to and from Niger.
Touray also announced the suspension of all commercial and financial transactions between ECOWAS member states and Niger, including freezing all service transactions including energy transactions as well as freezing 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 OmarUmaro Mokhtar Sissoco Embaló, President of the Republic of Guinea Bissau. Bola 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, 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 are Omar Al Turia, president of the ECOWAS attended the summit, together with 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.
Continuing with the communique at the end of the summit, Touray recalled the immediate steps that President Bola Tinubu, chairman of authority, took in the form of statements communiques, mission and consultations, with regional continental and world leaders taking cognizance of the condemnation of the attempted coup, and the illegal detention of President Bazoom and members of his family and government by the neighboring countries, the African Union, United Nations European Union United States of America, China, Russia, La Francophonie, the Commonwealth, the OIC and other partners.
He noted that 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 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. For this effect, the chiefs of defense staff of ECOWAS are to meet immediately,” Touray added.
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