…plans to storm Niger by force
By Udesinanna Stephen
The Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS have condemned the recent coup in Niger and gave the coup orchestrators 7 days to release and reinstate President Mohamed Bazoum as the democratic leader.
The call was made in a communique released at the end of ECOWAS Summit on Socio-Political Situation in the Republic of Niger, read by the President of the Commission, Dr Omar Touray.
As obtained from the official Twitter handle of the Spokesman, Tinubu/Shettima Campaign, Bayo Onanuga @oananuga1956, the Communiqué noted that, ECOWAS “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.”
The Summit, which was hosted by the Chairperson of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, President Bola Tinubu, has that, if ECOWAS demands are not met within one week, they will 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 Defence Staff of ECOWAS are to meet immediately,’’ the leaders said.
As countermeasures, travel bans and assets freezes have been imposed on the military officials involved in the coup attempt, their family members and civilians who accept to participate in any institution or government established by these military officials.
Also, “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, and Niger will also be suspended from all financial assistance and transactions with financial institutions within ECOWAS.