*Says options for peaceful resolution still on table
*As Quattara saysvdecision on Niger not Nigerian affair
The Authority of the Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), on Thursday in Abuja, ordered the immediate activation of what it called a Standby Force with all its elements, and deployment to restore constitutional order in Niger Republic.
This is part of the resolution reached at the Second Extraordinary Summit of the Authority presided over by its Chairman, President Bola Tinubu, at the State House Conference Center Abuja.
In a 12-point communiqué issued at the end of the summit, President of the ECOWAS Commission, Omar Touray, reiterated its condemnation of the coup that ousted President Mohamadou Bazoum and what he called his continued illegal detention along with his family.
The regional bloc upheld all measures previously agreed on Niger and underscored the determination of the ECOWAS authority to keep all options on the table for the peaceful resolution of the crisis.
It, however, regretted that the Niger military has defiantly repelled all diplomatic efforts made by ECOWAS, in resolving the crisis.
The communiqué stated that the Authority resolved to: “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.
“Further condemns the condition in which President Bazoum is being detained and holds the CNSP fully and solely responsible for the safety, security and physical integrity of President Bazoum, members of his family and government.
“Uphold all measures and principles agreed upon by the extraordinary Summit held on Niger on 30th July 2023.
“Underscore the determination of the ECOWAS authority to keep all options on the table for the peaceful resolution of the crisis.
“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.
“Warn member states who by their action directly or indirectly, hindered the peaceful resolution of the crisis in Niger about the consequences of their action before the community.
“Call on the African Union to endorse all the decisions taken by the ECOWAS authority on the situation in Niger.
“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.
“Direct the President of the Commission to monitor the implementation of the sanctions.
“Direct the Committee of the chief of defense staff to activate the ECOWAS standby force with all its elements immediately.
“Order the deployment of the ECOWAS standby force to restore constitutional order in the Republic of Niger.
“Underscore its continued commitment to the restoration of constitutional order through peaceful means.”
On how the decisions were reached, Touray said that the Authority 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.
It also 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 defense staff, and extensively discussed the latest development in Niger since the last extraordinary Summit held on 30th July 2023.
While the Authority noted that all diplomatic efforts by ECOWAS were repelled by the military leadership of the Republic of Niger, it also took note of the expiration of the one-week ultimatum given for the restoration of constitutional order in the Republic of Niger.
Speaking to journalists earlier, President of Cote d’Ivoire, Alassane Quattara, said that the decision to act in Niger has nothing to do with Nigeria but with the ECOWAS.
Expressing the resolve of the Authority to flush out the coup plotters in the Niger Republic if they fail to release and reinstate President Bazoum, he affirmed that ECOWAS had previously acted in cases where there had been an interference with constitutional order among member states.
While noting that the sub-regional body had sent high-powered delegations to Niger, the military authorities have however continued to hold President Bazoum hostage, a situation he described as a terrorist act.
The Ivoirian President said: “As you’re aware this is the second summit in 10 days that we have organized in Niger and this is a critical problem we have to solve. As you’re aware, ECOWAS has taken many decisions in the past, legal and factual about coup d’états and the community has always condemned coup d’états and coup d’états have happened in many countries in the sub-region.
“ECOWAS has intervened in the past in Liberia, Sierra Leone recently in Gambia, Guinea Bissau and today we have a similar situation in Niger.
“I’d like to say that ECOWAS cannot accept this. This is not a matter of Nigeria against Niger, not at all.
“The decision that we have made today and I hope it would be implemented immediately is a decision of ECOWAS; all the heads of state think that we have tried dialogue with the putschists.
“We have sent a delegation, high personalities like former president Abdulsalami Abubakar, the Sultan of Sokoto, Emir of Kano, former governor of CBN Sanusi my friend and many other personalities in this important country, to talk to the people of Niger.
“But they’re keeping President Bazoum as a hostage. I personally consider this as a terrorist act. And we cannot let this continue. We have to act.
“The position of Côte d’Ivoire which has been endorsed by all of the Heads of State is that we have been able to tell these putschists that their place is in the barracks. They should go to fight the terrorists and not try to kidnap a democratically elected president.
“So, we believe that this is for the credibility of ECOWAS. All of us are concerned and involved in this decision.
“So, I’d like to thank my former president of ECOWAS President (Umaro) Embalo, himself is a former general democratically elected now to serve that we want democracy in our sub-region.
“We do not accept, we will not accept coup d’états and I think these putschists must go if they don’t let Bazoum out to be able to exercise his mandate. I think we should move ahead and get them out. Bazoum is the democratically elected president. He should be freed, he should be able to exercise its mandate freely.”
In his opening remark, President Tinubu had called on his counterparts to prioritize diplomatic negotiations and dialogue to convince the coup leaders in the Niger Republic to reinstate ousted President Mohamed Bazoum.
He noted that ECOWAS had called on the junta to rescind its decision of toppling a legitimate government and proceeded to impose sanctions with the hope that “this resolute measure would serve as a catalyst for the restoration of the constitutional order in Niger.”
Tinubu said Thursday’s summit provided a significant opportunity to meticulously review and assess the progress made since the leaders’ last gathering.
He stressed the need to evaluate the effectiveness of the regional interventions and identify any gaps or challenges that may have hindered progress.
According to him, only through this comprehensive assessment can ECOWAS collectively chart a sustainable path toward lasting peace, stability, and prosperity in Niger.
He added: “Moreso, in reaffirming our relentless commitment to democracy, human rights, and the well-being of the people of Niger, it is crucial that we prioritize diplomatic negotiations and dialogue as the bedrock of our approach.
“We must engage all parties involved, including the coup leaders, in earnest discussions to convince them to relinquish power and reinstate President Bazoum.
“It is our duty to exhaust all avenues of engagement to ensure a swift return to constitutional governance in Niger.
“More specifically, as leaders of our respective nations, we must recognize that the political crisis in Niger not only poses a threat to the stability of the nation but also has far-reaching implications for the entire West African region.
“By remaining steadfast in our adherence to the principles of democracy, good governance, and the rule of law, we can restore peace, stability, and prosperity in the Republic of Niger, thereby fostering an environment conducive to growth and development for all.”
Tinubu pointed out that Thursday’s summit was a gathering with “a profound sense of urgency and firm determination, building upon the commitments made during our first Extraordinary Summit, on the grave political crisis befalling our sister nation.”
He added: “Regrettably, the seven-day ultimatum we issued during the first Summit has not yielded the desired outcome.
“We have also made diligent efforts through the deployment of various ECOWAS mediation teams, to engage the military junta for a peaceful resolution of the political situation.”
In his closing address, President Tinubu affirmed the regional blocs’ steadfast commitment to supporting the people of Niger’s journey toward peace and democratic stability.
He expressed his appreciation for member states’ dedication toward all efforts in resolving the challenges of Niger.
The President emphasized that the remarkable outcome of the summit, which authorized the standby deployment of ECOWAS troops to restore constitutional order in the Republic of Niger, attests to the power of collaboration and unity among ECOWAS member states.
He added: “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 the Communiqué of this extraordinary summit, no option is taken off the table, including the use of force as the last resort. If we don’t do it, no one else will do it for us.
“We remain steadfast in supporting Niger in a journey towards peace and democratic stability.
“The road ahead will undoubtedly have challenges, but I firmly believe that with our collective resolve, we can navigate these obstacles and chart a path towards peace and prosperity for Nigeriens and citizens of ECOWAS.
“May our collective efforts pave the way for a brighter future for the Nigerien people and for all Africans. May ECOWAS continue to thrive as a beacon of unity, cooperation, and progress in the region.”
