Niger coup leaders warn ECOWAS as Commission imposes sanctions

• Regional body gives seven-day ultimatum, vows use of force
• Don’t send troops to Niger, junta cautions W’African leaders
• U.S. hails Tinubu over ‘bold’ decisions on Niger crisis

Niger’S military leaders have warned the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) not to send troops to the country.

General Abdourahmane Tchiani, also known as Omar Tchiani, had declared himself leader, while the country’s elected president, Mohamed Bazoum, has been held by the military since the coup took place last week.

The leaders in Niger warned against any military intervention in a statement read on national television.

“The objective of the ECOWAS meeting is to approve a plan of aggression against Niger through an imminent military intervention in Niamey, in collaboration with other African countries that are non-members of ECOWAS, and certain Western countries,” Aljazeera quoted military spokesperson, Colonel Amadou Abdramane, as saying.

This was as Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS, in Abuja, yesterday, ordered immediate release and reinstatement of Bazoum as legitimate Head of State and Government of the Republic of Niger.

In a communiqué at the end of the Extraordinary Summit on Socio-Political Situation in the Republic of Niger, read by the President, ECOWAS Commission, Dr Omar Touray, the leaders also rejected the purported resignation by Bazoum and declared him as the only recognised and elected President by ECOWAS, the African Union and the international community.

‘’In this regard, only official acts of President Bazoum or his duly-mandated officials will be recognised by ECOWAS,’’ they said.

The leaders expressed strong condemnation of the attempted overthrow of constitutional order in Niger, and the illegal detention of Bazoum, as well as members of his family and government.

They demanded full restoration of constitutional order in the Republic of Niger and considered the illegal detention of President Mohamed Bazoum as a hostage situation, holding the authors of the attempted coup d’état solely and fully responsible for his safety and security and that of his family and government.

In the event ECOWAS’ demands are not met within one week, the leaders said they would take all measures necessary to restore constitutional order in the Republic of Niger.

“Such measures may include the use of force. For this effect, the Chiefs of Defence Staff of ECOWAS are to meet immediately,’’ the leaders said.

The ECOWAS leaders also condemned the pronouncement of support by foreign governments and foreign private military contractors, just as they expressed appreciation to various governments and partners for their stance and solidarity.

The summit hosted by President Bola Tinubu, in his capacity as Chairperson of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, also agreed to appoint and dispatch a special representative to deliver the demands of the authority.

In response to the coup attempt, the summit announced immediate sanctions on Niger, including the closure of land and air borders between ECOWAS countries and Niger, establishing a no-fly zone on all commercial flights to and from Niger, and suspending all commercial and financial transactions between ECOWAS Member States and Niger.

Furthermore, assets of the Republic of Niger in ECOWAS Central Bank, Niger state enterprises, and parastatals in commercial banks will be frozen.

Niger will also be suspended from all financial assistance and transactions with financial institutions within ECOWAS.

Additionally, travel bans and asset freezes were imposed on military officials  involved in the coup attempt, as well as their family members and civilians who accept to participate in any institution or government established by these military officials.

Also, the United States government applauded Tinubu for his “bold leadership” on the political crisis in Niger Republic.

The US government revealed that it discussed bilateral and multilateral efforts with Tinubu toward restoring constitutional order in Niger Republic.

US Secretary of State, Anthony Blinken, disclosed this, yesterday, in a statement after a call with Tinubu

Blinken’s spokesperson, Matthew Miller, said: “Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken spoke today with Nigerian President Bola Tinubu. The Secretary shared his deep concern over the events in Niger and the ongoing detention of democratically elected President Bazoum.

“The Secretary expressed his thanks for President Tinubu’s leadership, both as President of Nigeria and as Chairman of the Economic Community of West African States, throughout the current crisis.

“He underscored his support for President Tinubu’s continued efforts to restore constitutional order in Niger. He thanked President Tinubu for his bold leadership on the crisis in Niger.

“Both leaders discussed bilateral and multilateral efforts to resolve the situation in favour of restoring constitutional order in Niger.”