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….Impose border closure between member states and Niger
…..Announce no fly zone restrictions
…….Freeze assets of Niger Republic
Might use force to restore order
From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
Following an Extraordinary Session of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), convened in Abuja, in response to the military coup in the Republic of Niger, the leaders have announced sanctions to be imposed immediately.
The ECOWAS leaders resolved to implement a series of sanctions and enforce a no-flight zone over Niger Republic by commercial flights from neighbouring countries.
The leaders also announced border closures between Niger and all member states.
The meeting which was presided over by President Bola Tinubu, the Chairman of the bloc, took place at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The measures contained in a communique read by President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr. Omar Alieu-Touray, are seen as significant moves and a strong reaction to last Wednesday’s coup d’etat which poses a threat to the stability within the region.
The unconstitutional change in political leadership in the West African country has sparked concern and necessitates urgent discussions among regional leaders.
In addition to the no-flight zone, the regional body also agreed to immediate financial sanctions over the Niger coup, and has given the Niger junta a week to cede power.
The regional body has also not foreclosed the use of force to enforce its resolutions.
The measures to be applied with immediate effect are: Closure of land and air borders between ECOWAS countries and Niger; 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 and Freeze assets of the Republic of Niger in ECOWAS
Central Banks.
Others are: Freeze of assets of the Niger State and the state enterprises and parastatals in commercial banks; Suspension of measure from all financial assistance and transactions with all financial institutions, particularly EBID, and BAORD; Calls on WAHU and all other regional bodies to implement this decision and the imposition of travel ban and asset freeze for the military officials involved in the coup attempt. The same applies to their family members, and the civilians who accept to participate in any institutions or government, established by these military officials.
The leaders recalled that the principle of zero tolerance for unconstitutional change of government as enshrined in the ECOWAS and African Union protocols and other instruments.
They further resolved that President 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.
They said in this regard, only official acts of President Bazoum or his duly mandated officials will be recognized by ECOWAS.
They condemned in the strongest terms, the attempted overthrow of constitutional order in Niger, and the illegal detention of President Bazoum, as well as members of his family and government.
They call for the immediate release and reinstatement of 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.
They rejected any form of resignation that may purportedly come from President Bazoum.
They considered the illegal detention of the President of Niger, as a hostage situation and hold the authors of the attempted coup d’etat solely and fully responsible for the safety and security of Bazoum, as well as members of his family and government.
The leaders said: “In the event, the authorities demands are not met within one week. Take all measures necessary to restore constitutional order in the Republic of Nigeria. Such measures may include the use of force. For this effect, the chiefs of defense staff of ECOWAS are to meet immediately.
“Hold accountable, all those responsible for violence and terror against lives and properties of innocent citizens and residents of Niger.
“Condemned the pronouncement of support by foreign governments and foreign private military contractors.
“Express our appreciation to the various governments and partners for their stance and solidarity with ECOWAS.
“Appoint and dispatch a special representative of the chair of the authority to Niger immediately to deliver the demands of the authority.”
In his closing remarks to the Summit, 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 each and 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 inter connected 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 and consistently.
“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. Thank you for coming,” he said.
According to the statement issued by Special Adviser on Special Duties, Communications and Strategy, Dele Alake, before the Summit, President Tinubu also 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.
Presidents Patrice Talon of Benin Republic, Alassane Ouattara of Cote d’Ivoire, Adama Barrow of The Gambia, Nana Akufo-Addo of Ghana, Embalo of Guinea Bissau, Macky Sall of Senegal, Faure Gnassingbé of Togo attended the Summit while the Presidents of Cape Verde, Liberia, Niger and Sierra Leone were represented.
