ECOWAS Leaders Convene In Abuja To Address Niger Republic Crisis

Leaders of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) have gathered once again in Abuja to deliberate on the ongoing crisis in the Niger Republic.

The meeting was scheduled after the military junta in Niger disregarded a Sunday deadline for the reinstatement of deposed President Mohamed Bazoum, as announced by ECOWAS. The regional body pledged to meet again on Thursday to address the situation….CONTINUE READING

As the meeting takes place, uncertainties linger regarding the potential military intervention that ECOWAS might undertake to restore democracy in Niger.

President Bola Tinubu, who also serves as the chairperson of ECOWAS, has expressed unwavering determination to explore all available avenues to reinstate Bazoum’s presidency.

Attending the meeting are a gathering of presidents and heads of government including Julius Maada Bio of Sierra Leone, Umaro Mokhtar Sissoco of Guinea Bissau, Everiste Ndayishimiye of Burundi, and Alassane Ouattara of Côte d’Ivoire. Notably, some leaders, including Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé Eyadéma of Togo and Adama Barrow of Gambia, have yet to arrive.

The proposal of using force, even as a last resort, has faced opposition from various foreign nations, international organizations, and concerned individuals.

Prior to this meeting, President Tinubu directed the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to enact financial sanctions on individuals and entities believed to be aiding the military junta in Niger. The specific identities impacted by the sanctions were not disclosed.

Presently, Niger has faced a range of sanctions including the closure of land and air borders between ECOWAS member countries and Niger, a ‘no-fly zone’ on commercial flights to and from Niger, suspension of commercial and financial transactions between ECOWAS member states and Niger, and a halt in the supply of electricity to the landlocked West African nation.

Ajuri Ngelale, special adviser to Tinubu on media and publicity, emphasized ECOWAS’s commitment to restoring democratic governance in Niger Republic, noting that the option of military intervention remains under consideration.