ECOWAS orders standby force to restore constitutional order in Niger

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has said “no option is off the table including the use of force as a last resort” after its 2nd extraordinary meeting in 10 days held in Abuja on Thursday.

Nigeria’s President  Bola Ahmed Tinubu ,who is the Chairman of the block  said, “We have reaffirmed our commitment to the people of Niger and to the progress of our entire ECOWAS community. We will continue with that, from this extraordinary summit, that no option is off the table including the use of force as a last resort.”

ECOWAS reiterated the condemnation of the coup in Niger as well as the detention of ousted President Mohamed Bazoum and his family. They condemned the conditions in which they have been detained, and stated that measures agreed upon by the extraordinary summit on 30th July, 2023 will be upheld.

The president of ECOWAS, Omar Touray, underscored the determination of the ECOWAS authority to keep all options on the table for the peaceful resolution of the crisis.

He said ECOWAS will “Enforce all measures, in particular border closures and strict travel bans and assets freeze on all persons or groups of individuals whose actions hinder all peaceful efforts in ensuring the smooth and complete restoration of constitutional order.”

ECOWAS called on the African Union and other partner institutions, including the United Nations to endorse all resolutions taken by the Commission to ensure quick restoration of constitutional order in Niger.

Importantly, ECOWAS announced the activation and deployment of the ECOWAS standby force.

ECOWAS leaders had held a closed door session of the extraordinary second summit to address the Niger political crisis.

To avoid an escalation of the crisis and an armed intervention, several stakeholders in Nigeria and Niger have been working to persuade both ECOWAS and Niger’s military junta to approach the situation diplomatically and continue with negotiations.

In attendance were the Extraordinary Session include ECOWAS leaders: Presidents

Julius Maada Bio of Sierra Leone, Umaro Mokhtar Sissoco of Guinea Bissau, Everiste Ndayishimiye of Burundi, President Alassane Ouattara of Cote d’Ivoire and President Mohamed Ould Ghazouani of Mauritania.

Others are Presidents Nana Akofo-Ado of Ghana, Macky Sall of Senegal, Patrice Talon of Benin Republic and Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé Eyadéma of Togo.

The Gambia and Liberia were member-states represented by their Ministers of Foreign Affairs.

Read the communique below…

The Authority having considered the memorandum presented by the President of the ECOWAS commission on the current situation in the Republic of Niger, as well as ECOWAS engagement since the last extraordinary summit; and having considered the reports of the envoys of the chair, to Niger and various other places;

Carefully considered the report and recommendations of the ECOWAS committee of chiefs of defence staff; extensively discussed the latest development in Niger since the last extra ordinary Summit held on 30th July 2023.

Noted that all diplomatic efforts made by ECOWAS, in resolving the crisis have been defiantly repelled by the military leadership of the Republic of Niger; taking note of the expiration of the one week ultimatum given for the restoration of constitutional order in the Republic of Niger decide as follows:

A. Reiterates its strong condemnation of the attempted coup d’etat and the continued illegal detention of President Mohammed Bazoam, his family and members of his government

B. Further condemns the condition in which President Bazoum is being detained and hold the CNSP fully and solely responsible for the safety, security and physical integrity of President Bazoum, members of his family and government.

C. Uphold all measures and principles agreed upon by the extra ordinary Summit held on Niger on 30th July 2023.

D. Underscore the determination of the ECOWAS authority to keep all options on the table for the peaceful resolution of the crisis.

E. Enforce all measures in particular border closures and strict travel bans and assets freeze on all persons or groups of individuals whose actions hinder all peaceful efforts aimed at ensuring the smooth and complete restoration of constitutional order.

F. Warn member states who by their action directly or indirectly, hindered the peaceful resolution of the crisis in Niger about the consequences for their action before the community.

G. Call on the African Union to endorse all the decisions taken by the ECOWAS authority on the situation in Niger.

H. Further call on all partner countries and institutions including the United Nations to support ECOWAS, in its effort to ensure a quick restoration of constitutional order, in conformity with its normative instruments.

I. Direct the President of the Commission to monitor the implementation of the sanctions.

J. Direct the Committee of the chief of defence staff to activate the ECOWAS standby force with all its elements immediately.

K. Order the deployment of the ECOWAS standby force to restore constitutional order in the Republic of Niger.

L. Underscore its continued commitment for the restoration of constitutional order through peaceful means