ECOWAS Gives Niger Military One-Week Ultimatum to Reinstate Bazoum as President:
Members of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government issued a seven-day ultimatum to the Nigerien military on Sunday, July 31st demanding the restoration of constitutional order and the reinstatement of ousted President Muhammed Bazou
In an extraordinary meeting at the State House, Abuja, leaders of ECOWAS member-states discussed the situation in Niger Republic and recognized Bazoum as the legitimate President
To exert pressure, the bloc imposed land and border closures and suspended all commercial flights between Niger and ECOWAS member state
President Omar Touray of the ECOWAS Commission announced the decision and revealed that Chiefs of Defense Staff from member states would convene urgently to strategize on a military operation to restore Bazoum to office if necessary
He emphasized that the ECOWAS would consider all measures, including the use of force, to restore constitutional order in Niger
Touray also disclosed economic sanctions, including the suspension of commercial and financial transactions between ECOWAS Member States and Niger, freezing assets of the Republic of Niger in Aqua Central Bank, and assets of the Niger State and state enterprises and parastatals in commercial bank
Furthermore, all financial assistance and transactions with financial institutions, especially EBID, would be suspended
Recall, in response to the coup, General Abdourahamane Tchiani was named as the nation’s new leader by members of Niger’s Presidential Guard
Tchiani, who has been heading the Presidential Guard since 2011, cited the military’s action as a response to the deteriorating security situation linked to jihadist violence
The military also warned against foreign military intervention, stating that certain dignitaries are contemplating confrontation, which could lead to the massacre of the Nigerien population and chaos.