The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has issued a directive for the chief of the defense staff committee to immediately activate its standby force. The order was given by the President of ECOWAS, Omar Alieu Touray, as he read out the resolutions made during the Extraordinary meeting regarding the coup in Niger, held in Abuja on Thursday.
As previously reported by Daily Trust, the leaders of ECOWAS convened in Abuja to discuss their course of action following the expiration of the seven-day ultimatum for the reinstatement of President Mohamed Bazoum, which the junta did not comply with. During the meeting, the regional bloc noted that all attempts at dialogue with the Niger junta had been rejected by the coup leaders.
The ECOWAS leaders also expressed their condemnation of the ongoing detention of President Mohamed Bazoum and his family members.
In summarizing the decisions reached during the meeting, President Omar Alieu Touray stated:
“The Authority, after considering the memorandum presented by the President of the ECOWAS Commission on the current situation in the Republic of Niger, along with ECOWAS’s engagement since the last extraordinary summit, and after reviewing the reports of the chair’s envoys to Niger and various other locations, carefully considered the report and recommendations of the ECOWAS committee of chiefs of defense staff.
“It engaged in extensive discussions regarding the latest developments in Niger since the last extraordinary Summit held on 30th July 2023. The Authority noted that all diplomatic efforts made by ECOWAS to resolve the crisis were forcefully rebuffed by the military leadership of the Republic of Niger. It also acknowledged the expiration of the one-week ultimatum given for the restoration of constitutional order in the Republic of Niger and hereby decides as follows:
– Condemn the circumstances of President Bazoum’s detention and hold the CNSP (National Council for the Restoration of Democracy) fully and exclusively responsible for the safety, security, and physical well-being of President Bazoum, his family members, and government officials.
– Maintain all measures and principles previously agreed upon during the extraordinary Summit on Niger held on 30th July 2023.
– Affirm the commitment of the ECOWAS Authority to keep all options open for the peaceful resolution of the crisis.
– Enforce all measures, including border closures, strict travel bans, and asset freezes on individuals or groups obstructing peaceful efforts aimed at ensuring the complete and smooth restoration of constitutional order.
– Issue a warning to member states whose actions, whether directly or indirectly, hinder the peaceful resolution of the Niger crisis, about the consequences they may face within the community.
– Call upon the African Union to endorse all decisions made by the ECOWAS Authority regarding the situation in Niger.
– Further request all partner countries and institutions, including the United Nations, to support ECOWAS in its endeavors to quickly restore constitutional order in accordance with its normative instruments.
– Instruct the President of the Commission to oversee the implementation of the sanctions.
– Instruct the Committee of Chiefs of Defense Staff to immediately activate the ECOWAS standby force, deploying all its elements without delay. This deployment is intended to restore constitutional order in the Republic of Niger. Emphasize the ongoing commitment to achieving the restoration of constitutional order through peaceful means.”
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