The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has issued a directive for the immediate activation of its standby force by the chief of the defense staff committee.
Omar Alieu Touray, the President of ECOWAS, issued this directive while presenting the resolution reached during an Extraordinary meeting held in Abuja on Thursday to address the Niger coup situation.
As previously reported by Daily Trust, leaders had convened in Abuja to deliberate on the course of action following the lapse of the seven-day ultimatum for the reinstatement of President Mohamed Bazoum, which was ignored by the junta.
During the meeting, the regional consortium expressed its dismay at the refusal of the Niger junta to engage in dialogue, despite multiple attempts.
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Additionally, ECOWAS leaders denounced the ongoing detention of President Mohamed Bazoum and his family members.
The decision-making process involved an assessment of the situation in Niger since the preceding Extraordinary Summit on July 30, 2023. The leaders acknowledged the persistent rejection of ECOWAS diplomatic endeavors by the military leadership in Niger. They also acknowledged the expiration of the one-week deadline for the restoration of constitutional order in Niger.
In light of these considerations, the following actions were taken:
- Strongly condemn the conditions of President Bazoum’s detention, and hold the CNSP (Conseil National pour le Salut du Peuple) solely responsible for their safety and well-being, along with that of their family members and government officials.
- Affirm the commitment to uphold the measures and principles agreed upon during the previous Extraordinary Summit in Niger on July 30, 2023.
- Emphasize the unwavering determination of ECOWAS to explore all potential avenues for a peaceful resolution to the crisis.
- Implement all measures, including border closures, stringent travel bans, and asset freezes on individuals or groups obstructing peaceful efforts towards the complete restoration of constitutional order.
- Warn member states against actions that directly or indirectly impede the peaceful resolution of the crisis in Niger, highlighting the potential consequences within the ECOWAS community.
- Call upon the African Union to endorse the decisions made by ECOWAS regarding the Niger situation.
- Solicit support from partner countries, institutions, and the United Nations to assist ECOWAS in swiftly restoring constitutional order in accordance with its established norms.
- Instruct the President of the Commission to oversee the enforcement of sanctions.
- Direct the Chief of Defense Staff Committee to promptly activate the ECOWAS standby force, along with all its components. Order the immediate deployment of the ECOWAS standby force to facilitate the reinstatement of constitutional order in Niger. Reiterate the steadfast commitment to achieving this goal through peaceful means.
